Legal Costs - Chief Allan Adam
Donation protected
Allan Adam, the highly respected Chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation was unlawfully detained, arrested and beaten by Wood Buffalo RCMP officers in the parking lot of a casino in downtown Fort McMurray on March 10, 2020. An officer initially questioned Chief Adam in regard to an expired licence plate. The fine for this would be have been $310.00.
The police allowed and caused the situation to quickly escalate and Chief Adam was tackled by a second officer and punched repeatedly in the head with the officer applying his knee to the Chief’s neck and head. Those officers also used excessive force when arresting Chief Adam’s wife, Freda Courtoreille. Chief Adam was left with bruises, scars, a chipped tooth, lacerations to the mouth and serious emotional trauma. Although arrested, Freda was never eventually charged. No ticket for the expired licence plate was ever issued.
During this violent episode, despite Chief Adam’s inquiries about why he was being arrested and requesting some respect for his status as a Chief, the police intentionally ignored his comments and appeared to have been charged with racial animosity toward he and his wife.
Unfortunately, the assault Chief Adam experienced on March 10 is not an isolated event in this country. People of colour are more at risk of being harmed by the police. CBC News conducted a study of victims that were killed by police from 2000-2017, and two groups of peoples were overwhelmingly over-represented in these circumstances: Indigenous and Black peoples. People of colour should not fear mistreatment or death by people that are sworn to protect them.
Racism is deeply woven into our society and we must all strive to bring equality and justice for the Indigenous, Black, and other people of colour in Canada. This go-fund-me is established to assist Chief Adam in paying for his legal expenses. As a result of the altercation, Chief Adam is now facing charges of resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer. Chief Adam will also be pursing a civil action against the Wood Buffalo RCMP and its officers for the mistreatment he and his wife experienced. Any donations will be appreciated in assisting Chief Adam in his fight for change and justice.
The police allowed and caused the situation to quickly escalate and Chief Adam was tackled by a second officer and punched repeatedly in the head with the officer applying his knee to the Chief’s neck and head. Those officers also used excessive force when arresting Chief Adam’s wife, Freda Courtoreille. Chief Adam was left with bruises, scars, a chipped tooth, lacerations to the mouth and serious emotional trauma. Although arrested, Freda was never eventually charged. No ticket for the expired licence plate was ever issued.
During this violent episode, despite Chief Adam’s inquiries about why he was being arrested and requesting some respect for his status as a Chief, the police intentionally ignored his comments and appeared to have been charged with racial animosity toward he and his wife.
Unfortunately, the assault Chief Adam experienced on March 10 is not an isolated event in this country. People of colour are more at risk of being harmed by the police. CBC News conducted a study of victims that were killed by police from 2000-2017, and two groups of peoples were overwhelmingly over-represented in these circumstances: Indigenous and Black peoples. People of colour should not fear mistreatment or death by people that are sworn to protect them.
Racism is deeply woven into our society and we must all strive to bring equality and justice for the Indigenous, Black, and other people of colour in Canada. This go-fund-me is established to assist Chief Adam in paying for his legal expenses. As a result of the altercation, Chief Adam is now facing charges of resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer. Chief Adam will also be pursing a civil action against the Wood Buffalo RCMP and its officers for the mistreatment he and his wife experienced. Any donations will be appreciated in assisting Chief Adam in his fight for change and justice.
Organizer and beneficiary
Band Administration
Organizer
Fort Chipewyan, AB
Larry Hewko
Beneficiary