Dudley Laws facts for kids
Dudley Laws (born May 7, 1934 – died March 24, 2011) was a Canadian civil rights activist. He was also the executive director of the Black Action Defence Committee.
Laws was born in Saint Thomas Parish, Jamaica. His parents were Ezekiel and Agatha Laws, and he had six brothers and sisters.
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Early Life and Activism
Dudley Laws first worked as a welder and mechanic. He moved to the United Kingdom in 1955. There, he started helping the West Indian community. He helped create groups like the Somerleyton and Geneva Road Association in Brixton. He also joined other important community groups.
Moving to Canada
In 1965, Laws moved to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He continued working as a welder and taxi driver. He also joined the Universal Negro Improvement Association. This group was inspired by Marcus Garvey, who promoted Black pride and unity.
Standing Up for Rights
Laws became well-known in the 1970s and 1980s. He spoke out against the Toronto Police Force. This was because several young Black men were shot by police officers. He also claimed that the police treated people unfairly because of their race.
Helping Newcomers
Dudley Laws was also a strong supporter of immigrants and refugees. He worked as a consultant in the 1990s, helping people settle in Canada.
Founding the Black Action Defence Committee
In 1988, Laws started the Black Action Defence Committee. He created this group after a man named Lester Donaldson was shot by the police. The committee worked to protect the rights of Black people and fight against unfair treatment.
Later Years and Legacy
In his later years, Dudley Laws had a better relationship with the Toronto Police. He even became friends with two former Deputy Chiefs, Keith D. Forde and Peter Sloly.
Laws passed away in Toronto on March 24, 2011. He died from kidney disease and was buried at Glenview Memorial Gardens. His work helped bring important changes and awareness to civil rights in Canada.
