Adora and Taylor, two valiant Black women in Calgary, stand accused in a glaring display of what appears to be legal intimidation. Their crime? Daring to organize against anti-Black racism. The Calgary Police Service (CPS) seems to have decided that their activism is a threat, slapping them with an avalanche of charges, each more bewildering than the last.
The narrative is as old as it is tired: stack charges high, aiming to silence and intimidate. Adora, president of Black Lives Matter YYC, and Taylor, co-creator of Inclusive Canada, find themselves in the crosshairs of a system that appears more interested in protecting its image than its people. The Stop the Stack YYC campaign is raising a clarion call against this practice, which not only burdens these women with legal fees but also inflicts a relentless psychological toll.
Adora’s ordeal reads like a Kafkaesque nightmare. Charged with a hate crime for merely trying to reenter a building—a charge so ludicrous it was later dropped due to a “clerical error” – the media ran with teh story, painting her as a criminal, wreaking havoc on her reputation and wellbeing. Her subsequent charges for standing against hate speak volumes of the CPS’s apparent priorities.
Taylor’s journey is a harrowing testament to the cost of speaking out. Facing 17 charges since 2020, her activism against police violence and bigotry has been met with a ruthless response. Even as she stands for others, Taylor finds herself repeatedly pushed to defend her own dignity and freedom, battling charges that range from the bizarre to the outright offensive.
The stories of Adora and Taylor aren’t just individual injustices; they’re chapters in a larger narrative of resistance against a system seemingly desperate to maintain the status quo. Their legal battles are microcosms of the broader struggle for racial justice and equality, reflecting the high stakes of standing up in a world that often demands conformity.
This is where we draw the line. The Defence Fund is more than a financial resource; it’s a commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with those on the frontlines. Adora and Taylor’s fight is our fight, and we’re here to ensure they don’t stand alone.
Now’s the time for action. If you’ve ever believed in fighting against the tide of racism and for the right of every individual to stand tall without fear of retribution, here’s your chance. Contribute to their legal funds, spread the word, and stand firm in the face of adversity. In solidarity with Adora and Taylor, we continue the fight.
The International Anti-Fascist Defence Fund 
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