Organizers of the African Descent Festival say they feel let down by Vancouver officials who hit them with hefty policing fees — charges they claim were meant to block their event.
But city officials insist the festival failed to meet safety and planning requirements.
The vibrant celebration of Black culture, held annually since 2015, was abruptly shut down Friday morning as police moved in to disperse attendees. Barricades remain at English Bay Beach, where the weekend festival was scheduled for Aug. 9 to 10.
(Incognito)
Doesn’t look very inclusive…
Happy Canada Day!
Today, we celebrate the beauty of Canada’s diversity and the vibrant cultures that make this country unique.#CanadaDay #ADF2025 #DiversityMatters #VancouverEvents #Inclusion #AfricanDescentFestival pic.twitter.com/qOfL9BLa81
— African Descent Festival (@ADSBC_org) July 1, 2025
