FORT MCMURRAY, ALBERTA — Dressed in a flowing agbada and chieftaincy beads, Chief Olufemi Shodunke stood alone last Friday outside the courthouse on Franklin Avenue with a placard that read: “Stop anti-black racism in Alberta & Canada’s justice system.”
The Nigerian-born journalist and Canadian citizen said he could no longer stay silent.
Shodunke, a former Deputy Editor of _Nigerian Compass on Sunday_ and ex-two-term President of Olumo Progressive Association Canada Inc., staged the one-man protest to condemn what he described as systemic anti-Black bias in Alberta’s tribunals and courts.
“Definitely, I am just protesting today against anti-Black racism within the justice system in Alberta and in Canada. I am doing this because I have experienced it and I am still experiencing it,” he said.
According to him, letters written to various levels of government yielded no response, prompting him to take his grievance to the streets.
“I have written to government about it. Nothing has been done, and that is why I am sensitizing the people of Fort McMurray, Alberta and Canada, and across the globe on what is going on in Canada,” Shodunke stated.
The journalist, who also served as Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel and _Nigerian Compass_ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ogun State Council, said his protest was based on personal experience and other cases he has documented.
“There is anti-Black racism within the justice system. I know what I am talking about. I have pieces of evidence to support this,” he said.
Shodunke, who fled Nigeria in 2010 after a reported assassination attempt, added that he would release “shocking revelations” later. He noted some details are _subjudice_ due to pending judgments and possible litigation.
During the protest, Shodunke said a white man in a light-green car shouted at him: “That is what you paid for by coming here.”
He said he ignored the remark and continued.
“There were others who commended my effort. We cannot do without such a few of the members within the community who have a morbidly incurable dislike or hatred for Black people in this country,” he said.
Speaking as Baaroyin of Igbeinland and Agbon, Shodunke stressed that Canada’s core value must be upheld.
“Justice is for everybody; we are all equal in this country,” he said. “This is a country of immigrants, both Black and White and we have to respect our cultures, we have to respect our religions no matter the situation. Equality is for everyone. That is what we stand for in Canada. I am a Canadian citizen and I have the right. We want equality in this country.”
This is not Shodunke’s first protest in Canada. He joined demonstrations in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd in the United States.
The journalist said he is prepared to continue the advocacy alone if necessary.
“If it is only me that is sensitizing the people I am ready, I am ready to do it,” he declared.
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