Justice system shows prejudice against Peel rapper Avalanche the Architect, judges find

There are two sides to Darren John. 

While driving through Mississauga on a sunny July evening, Darren talks about his kids and being a father. He talks about living and growing up in Mississauga, how the city has changed, diversified and grown. He talks about the turnover of residents on the street where he grew up, neighbours who have come and gone, kids who have grown up and left.

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Darren John, who raps under the name Avalanche the Architect, is appealing a 2015 conviction for uttering threats contained in the lyrics of one of his songs, following a feud with his former music promoter. 

As that case is set to be heard in December, two judges and a judicial body have identified issues with John’s treatment in court during other legal matters, pointing out bias and prejudice against him. It’s a systemic issue that John says has plagued him over the past two decades while he’s been forced to deal with a justice system that only sees him as a big, bad Black man, not a person.

Published on September 4, 2019 in The Pointer-Brampton and The Pointer Mississauga