'Just Confess': Rally for Brady Francis urges hit-and-run driver to surrender

After more than 40 days without an arrest, a rally calling for justice for Brady Franciswas held Saturday in front of Moncton City Hall.

The First Nation community of Elsipogtog, where Francis lived before his hit-and-run death, has been passionately urging the justice system to take action.

Francis was struck and killed by a vehicle Feb. 24 at about9:30 p.m.in Saint-Charles while waiting fora ride home. So far investigators have made no arrests, putting the community on edge.

While calls for action have been repeated, new signs made an appearance at the Moncton rally. With the smell of burning sweetgrass hanging in the air, many held up blue signs with the phrase "Just Confess" on them.

"We just want him to confess," said Charlotte Simon, who drove down from Elsipogtog like many other participants at the rally. "It's really hard on the parents and it's really hard on the community, so we just want him to confess."

After more than half an hour of rallying in front of City Hall, the crowd moved down Main Streetwhere they continued in front of the Codiac RCMP headquarters.

The seemingly slow progress with the investigation has been difficult for many from the community.

"It's been rough," said Harley Francis, who is still finding it shocking when he returns home to Elsipogtog, to find his cousin Brady absent.

Still, he said he remains confident the RCMP will complete its investigation with the result the community wants justice.

"I know, like, at one point or another, that there will be justice and maybe that time, I can finally start my healing too."

The signs and chants echo those of Francis' mother, Jessica Perley, who posted a video online this week. In it, she asks the driver to do the right thing.

"The truth will set you freefrom your tortured mind," she says.

The RCMP has previously asked for information regarding a truck suspected to be involved in the crash. Many at the rally believe the investigators already know who was behind the wheel when Francis was killed. They remain dumbfounded at what they say is a lack of action.

On Thursday night, the RCMP closed off a portion of the road where Francis was killed, to continue its investigation. The Francis family has asked people to remain patient while the investigation continuesbut for many, that patience is fading with each passing day.

Former Elsipogtog Chief Jesse Simon said the death of Francis, so close to the results of trials for the deaths of Tina Fontaine and Colton Boushie, have made the lack of justice hard to take.

"We're always constantly dealing with tragedy and it never gets easy" said Simon. He said he prays there will be justice, but he admitted he isn't keeping his hopes up.

"Injustice can only last for so long to a people that's been oppressed for so long," he said.