Rocky Jones facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rocky Jones
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| Born | August 26, 1941 |
| Died | July 29, 2013 (aged 71) |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation | Lawyer, Educator, Organizer |
| Known for | Human Rights Activism |
| Political party | New Democratic Party |
| Spouse(s) | Joan Jones; Sharon Jones |
Burnley Allan "Rocky" Jones ONS (born August 26, 1941 – died July 29, 2013) was a famous Canadian activist. He was known around the world for his work in human rights, fighting against racism, and helping people who were struggling with poverty.
Rocky Jones first became well-known in the 1960s. He was part of a group called the Student Union for Peace Action (SUPA). Later, he became a strong voice for civil rights, helping to organize communities, teaching others, and working as a lawyer.
Contents
Rocky Jones: A Champion for Change
Early Life and Family
Rocky Jones was born in Truro, Nova Scotia. He was one of ten children born to Elmer and Willena Jones. His grandfather, Jeremiah Jones, was a hero in World War I during the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
Rocky was a fifth-generation African Canadian. His family's roots in Canada went back to the Black Refugees of the early 1800s. He grew up in a friendly neighborhood where both white and Black families lived. He didn't experience open racism until he went to junior high school.
After school, he joined the Canadian army. He then spent time traveling and working different jobs. In Toronto, he met important Black community leaders like Harry Gairey and Leonard Johnston. He was also inspired by Eugene Bonner, who taught him a lot about Black issues and workers' rights. Rocky met Bonner through his daughter, Joan, who also helped him learn more about politics and encouraged him to read. Rocky and Joan got married in 1961.
Fighting for Civil Rights
In March 1965, Rocky, Joan, and their daughter joined a protest in Toronto. This protest supported the Selma to Montgomery march in Alabama, which was for voting rights. Soon after, the media started calling Jones "Canada's Own Stokely Carmichael."
Rocky also joined the Student Union for Peace Action (SUPA). He and Joan moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, to help organize communities. They started Kwacha House, which was the first self-help program for young people in a diverse, lower-income area of the city.
In 1968, Jones invited Stokely Carmichael and members of the Black Panther Party to visit Halifax. This brought a lot of attention from the police and media. Soon after, many activist groups, including older, more traditional organizations, formed the Black United Front of Nova Scotia. Jones also helped create the Afro-Canadian Liberation Movement. During this time, some media called him "Rocky the Revolutionary."
While studying at Dalhousie University in 1970, he helped start the Transition Year Program. He taught there for ten years. He also organized the Black Historical and Educational Research Organization (HERO Project). This project was one of the first to collect oral histories about Black culture. He also helped create a special program at Dalhousie Law School for Indigenous Black and Mi'kmaq students.
Helping Prisoners
Rocky Jones strongly believed in the rights of prisoners. He helped create the Black Inmates Association and the Native Brotherhood at prisons like Dorchester Penitentiary and Springhill Institution.
He also developed programs for women in prisons and in the community. He created a wilderness program for people who had been in prison. He also oversaw two companies that hired former inmates. Jones was the leader of Real Opportunities for Prisoner Employment (ROPE), a group that helped ex-inmates help themselves.
Getting Involved in Politics
Jones joined the New Democratic Party in Nova Scotia in 1965. He stayed active in the party for many years, helping to organize and support their efforts. In 1980, he ran for office in a Nova Scotia election but did not win. At that time, he was one of the few well-known Black Canadian politicians.
In 1995, Jones was a co-chair of the People's Summit. This was an alternative meeting held during the G7 meetings in Halifax. In 2009, he helped Lenore Zann win her campaign to become a member of the legislative assembly for the Truro area.
A Career in Law
Rocky Jones earned his law degree from Dalhousie University in 1992. He worked for several years with Dalhousie University Legal Aid, where he provided legal help and taught law students. Later, he started his own law firm, B.A. "Rocky" Jones & Associates.
His law firm focused on human rights cases, criminal law, prisoner rights, and labor law. Jones was especially interested in human rights issues for Black people and people of color. He also worked closely with Indigenous communities on land claims, justice, and education. He was an expert in Canada on environmental racism, which is when certain groups of people are unfairly exposed to environmental dangers.
In 1997, he won a very important case called R. v. R.D.S. at the Supreme Court of Canada. This case set a new rule for how race-related cases should be handled in court. Guelph University gave Jones an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree in 2004 to recognize his achievements.
Death and Legacy
Rocky Jones passed away from heart failure on July 29, 2013. He was 71 years old.
In August 2016, a book about his life, called Burnley “Rocky” Jones Revolutionary, was published by Fernwood Publishing. The book was written by James W. St. G. Walker and Rocky Jones himself.
In September 2018, a petition was started by Angel Panag in Halifax. It asked for Cornwallis Street in North End, Halifax to be renamed to honor Rocky Jones. Over 1,700 people signed the petition. It was presented to Halifax City Council. The same petition was presented again to Halifax Regional Council in October 2021, after getting 9,330 signatures.
Awards and Recognition
Rocky Jones received many awards for his important work:
- Order of Nova Scotia
- Meritorious Award of Excellence: The *Black United Front of Nova Scotia
- Distinguished Service Award: The Canadian Association of Black Lawyers
- H.Carl Goldenberg, Q.C. Award: Dalhousie University Law School
- Hon. G.I. Smith Trust Award: Dalhousie University Law school
- Founders Award: The Transition Year Program, Dalhousie University
- Graduate Scholarship: Dalhousie University
- Community Involvement Award: The National Black Coalition of Canada
- Race Relations Committee Award: The Nova Scotia Barristers Society
- Apex Community Award: Town of Truro
- Honorary Doctorate of Laws: Guelph University
- Wall of Honour: Nova Scotia Black Cultural Centre
See also
