The Black Action Defense Committee Inc. (BADC) is demanding an independent investigation following what it describes as a violent assault and arrest of Black criminal defence lawyer Sudine Riley at the Oshawa courthouse on January 23, 2026. The organization says the incident has intensified long-standing concerns about policing and accountability in Durham Region, particularly within Black communities.

According to a public statement released through Riley’s lawyer, the veteran defence attorney endured what was characterized as “harrowing, traumatic, and violent treatment” at the hands of the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS). BADC maintains it has “absolutely no faith” in the police service’s ability to conduct a fair and impartial review of its own officers and is urging that the matter be handled by an external investigative body.

The confrontation reportedly began while Riley was working in a room commonly used by lawyers after court proceedings to meet with clients, await jury verdicts, and complete administrative work. Police allegedly challenged her presence in the space before the situation escalated. BADC claims officers then violently assaulted her, forcibly removed her headscarf, placed her in handcuffs, and dragged her to courthouse cells.

The organization says Riley was left bloodied and visibly swollen following the encounter, describing the removal of her headscarf as “inexplicable” and the overall conduct as shocking, excessive, and deeply disturbing.

BADC further argues that the incident represents not only a criminal assault but also a violation of Riley’s constitutional and human rights, including the right to equal protection and equal benefit under the law without discrimination.

Founded in 1988 in response to the fatal police shooting of Lester Donaldson and a series of deadly encounters involving Black civilians in the late 20th century, BADC has long advocated for accountability in cases involving alleged police misconduct. The organization says that in nearly four decades of work confronting police brutality, it has “never seen or dealt with anything like this.”

The group also points to what it describes as already fragile public confidence in the DRPS, particularly among Black residents. It referenced the case of Devonte Miller, a Black man assaulted in Durham Region by off-duty Toronto police officers, as an earlier incident that eroded trust in local law enforcement’s independence and willingness to protect Black citizens.

BADC warns that failing to respond decisively to the Riley incident could permanently damage whatever confidence remains. “Failure to act…will annihilate any hope for reparation,” the organization stated.

In outlining what it calls a clear pathway forward, BADC is calling for three immediate steps: an independent investigation into the officers’ conduct, swift disciplinary action once the investigation concludes, and concrete measures to ensure the safety and protection of Black lawyers within Ontario’s court system.

The organization also placed responsibility on the Ministry of the Attorney General and the Ministry of the Solicitor General, noting their oversight roles in court operations and policing.

“We stand with Sudine Riley,” BADC said in closing. “She is not alone.”

Requests for comment from the Durham Regional Police Service were not immediately available at the time of publication.

#SudineRiley #PoliceAccountability #BlackLawyers #JusticeMatters #OntarioCourts #DurhamRegion #BlackCommunity #HumanRights #LegalProfession #CommunityVoices #CanadaNews