Man seeks asylum in Canada, fearing U.S. police brutality

An African-American man applied for asylum in Canada, citing his fear of American police targeting him because of his race.

An African-American man applied for asylum in Canada, citing his fear of American police targeting him because of his race.

Thirty-year-old Kyle Lydell Canty applied for refugee status and testified Oct. 26 in front of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board, saying ,”I’m in fear of my life because I’m black.”

“They’re consistently killing black people, it’s documented, the United Nations has condemned America for their racial disparities for their police brutality,” Canty told CBC. “And honestly, I kept on getting harassed by cops for no reason, false charges, false arrests — I’m not just the only one going through it. All black people in America are going through the same thing. It’s corruption.”

According to the NY Daily News, Canty testified that he fears for his life during a refugee hearing.

Canty, who has resided in 6 states, claims to have faced police harassment in each place he’s lived. He says he’s been falsely arrested on charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct, among others.

“I got bothered because I’m black,” he told CBC.

Following a recent arrest in Salem, Oregon, Canty crossed the border two months ago and started living in a homeless shelter in Vancouver. Canty was arrested in Salem for trespassing after he reportedly used a bus station’s free wifi internet for two hours.

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