Published on June 8, 2020
All staff and law students at Dalhousie Legal Aid Service are speaking out against the violent loss and continued oppression of Black lives in both Canada and the United States. It is important that institutions show their solidarity with local, national and international groups who are working to end anti-Black racism.
As a community legal service that for the past 50 years has been rooted in the Northend of Halifax, we are committed to the people and communities we serve. We will continue to address and expose the issues of systemic anti-Black racism in Nova Scotia.
While the racist and criminal actions that lead to George Floyd’s death have sparked outrage and solidarity between people and groups committed to standing with Black people everywhere, we know that his death is one of many. The systems that support racism and anti-Black hatred must be dismantled. We stand with Black communities who demand no more racism, no more violence and no more oppression.
In accordance with our commitments to human rights and social justice, we express our concern with the growing militarization of the police both in Canada and the United States. We call on the Halifax Regional Council to cancel the purchase of an armoured vehicle for the Halifax Regional Police. Increased police violence and militarization must be prohibited as they pose a serious threat to civil liberties and public safety.
Dalhousie Legal Aid Service acknowledges the existence of systemic anti-Black racism in the justice system and throughout Nova Scotian society. We stand against white supremacy, homophobia, transphobia and violence against BIPOC, and all other forms of oppression. We stand against hatred and anti-Black racism.
We believe all Black lives matter.
We respectfully acknowledge that we work in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People.
Dalhousie Legal Aid Service A Community Service of Dalhousie University
