Photo of Adora Nwofor by Shannon Johnston. Photo of Taylor McNallie by Taylor McNallie.
In a time of increased surveillance and suppression of activists, Room Magazine wanted to chat with some of those on the ground who have long been fighting for racial justice and trans rights–and been punished for it.
Stop the Stack YYC is an organization in Moh’kinstsis (Calgary, Alberta) that fights the systematic abuse of Black women activists Taylor McNallie and Adora Nwofor. The Calgary Police Service and Calgary Courts have oppressed activists with charge-stacking for decades. Here, Adora and Taylor talk to Room about the impact this has had on their lives and work.
How did you get started in activism and advocacy? What keeps you going in the fight?
Adora: I am born in racism, and as a first-generation Canadian, I was a walking protest in many ways and unaware. I jokingly call myself an “accidental activist”—my first cognizant protest was in my teens. I joined a Mr…. beauty pageant, a message to authority and my peers, that girls can play football or boys can “cosplay” in pageants. I was the first runner up to the star of the football team. (Seems girls are allowed on the team now, I was told in 2020.) I continue to resist the system because humanity first. I care about humans and I’m human so I continue to fight. I won’t stop, and there are many ways to support causes, people, and work towards abolition. I am prioritizing joy at this time in my life. What do we do when empire crumbles? I like to think we are working toward joy and I’d like to be well-versed in joy. Activism isn’t about perfection—it must grow toward humanity for all, which really means the end of oppression as acceptable.
Tell us about some of the milestones Stop the Stack has achieved. How has Stop the Stack returned the care you have put into marginalized communities in Moh’kinstsis?
Taylor: Stop the Stack (STS) YYC was launched in the fall of 2023 as a response to the legal abuse that the Calgary Courts and Calgary Police Service are perpetuating against Adora and I. Having received my first charge of 17 in 2020, it was really nice to know that there was a group of people behind me to ensure I didn’t go through this alone. From fundraising for legal and living expenses, to providing in-person court support, and checking in on my personal well-being, it’s all made this experience a little more bearable. STS has brought awareness to our circumstances and educated people on the way charge-stacking is used, not only against activists but as a daily tactic to keep poor and working class people stuck within the legal system. We also work together to provide prison support: meeting people being released from jail and prison; providing them with money, food, supplies, and peer support; and connecting them with other resources, so others in similar circumstances have access to a support system as well.
The STS Linktree highlights an article which discusses the inequality between the treatment of the “Freedom Convoy” versus Black and Indigenous protesters. How do you navigate that inequality?
Adora: I would say most people who are melanated are navigating trauma as activists, whether it be the reason for their advocacy or because they were courageous enough to try. I stay grounded with comedy, I’m undeportable so I do anything I like. I have a certain amount of privilege to be able to lead history-making protests that influence change. My biggest flex is nobody follows the rules better than a Black woman. We are barely making it, in the sense that this isn’t a sustainable quality of life. I think making any impact is important because the convoy had solid connections to authority. We do not. Taylor and I were not working with police and we continue to be perceived by them as threats. My life has been threatened to my face. I navigate that by connecting to community, ensuring that I continue to grow and recognizing that We continue to influence all kinds of activism. The system is flawed and that’s not new to me. I don’t know anything outside of racism. I don’t accept racism, if that isn’t already obvious. I have an incredible trauma therapist. There is no way to do this work and leave yourself out.
Can you tell us about some of your passion projects—what you hope to do more of once you’re freed from this stack of charges?
Taylor: Passion projects…there are so many. “Do I have the time, energy, and financial support to engage” is another question. I started making jewelry while on house arrest last year—polymer clay earrings and other accessories. It’s been fun to be creative again in a new way, and it provides me with another source of income because I continue to struggle in paying for my basic needs, such as rent, due to the ongoing criminalization and stress. I’d love to one day get my Entertainment Network up and running again, a project focused on amplifying artists across various mediums such as music, poetry, dance, comedy, and more. I have a storage room full of equipment that has been collecting dust for five years—it’d be great to see it used again. My peace bond from the last set of charges I received while counter-protesting anti-trans white nationalists will be up in June 2026, so I’m just looking forward to some of this being behind me one day and I guess we’ll go from there. One day at a time.
Is there anything we haven’t asked that you would like to mention?
Adora: The end of oppression requires sustainable change. Anti-racism is my daily practice, with everyone, everywhere. Anti-racism is more than intellectual theories or antiquated ideas; it requires application in real life. It is peace of mind for me. Sometimes uncomfortable and always worth it.
Contribute to Taylor and Adora’s legal and living fees: www.gogetfunding.com/250krelieffund
About Stop the Stack: www.stopthestackyyc.ca
