Bromley Armstrong was a Jamaican Canadian labour activist. He helped push for affirmation of Ontario's anti-discrimination legislation in the courts, the Fair Employment Practices Act (1951) and Fair Accommodation Practices Act (1954).
He stood calmly in front of a bigoted restaurant owner and demanded service, despite the owner brandishing a cleaver in the kitchen.
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/bromley-armstrong
Racial discrimination was unfortunately common in the Underground Railroad terminus, Dresden, by Bromley's arrival in Canada in 1947. Agitation by Bromley's contemporaries in the National Unity Association of Chatham, Dresden, and North Buxton led to the adoption of those Acts. Bromley's sit-ins to "test" the legislation eventually led to the creation of the Ontario Human Rights Commission in 1961.
Before his passing in 2018, Bromley was honoured with the Order of Distinction in Jamaica, Order of Ontario, and was made a member of the Order of Canada.
His life and accomplishments were profiled by Toronto Life in 1988, and ten years later he was awarded the Harmony Award.
Its hard to imagine any award could encompass the strength of spirit he brought to Canada, but they did try.
🏳️🌈 Bri 🌞🚴🌱✨