Prisoners Justice Week
August 8th – August 13th, 2006
August 10th, 2006 marks the 31st Anniversary of Prisoners Justice Day.
PJD began in 1975 in Millhaven Penitentiary (Kingston, ON) to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of Eddie Nalon, a prisoner in segregation awaiting medical assistance. Over the years, prisoners continue to recognize the day by fasting and refusing work. Community groups and family members organize solidarity events outside prisons. In Toronto, supporters gather each year at the Don Jail to light candles in memory of all those who have died while in state custody or prison. It has since become an internationally observed event.
It is also an opportunity to raise awareness about the issues that prisoners face behind bars and to continue the struggle for justice. In 2004, with growing momentum, the Prisoners Justice Action Committee (PJAC) formed to organize year round. One of our first endeavours was to host Toronto’s first Prisoners Justice Film Festival in January 2005. This year we’ve come together to plan Prisoners Justice Week – six days of cultural events, demos and workshops.
TUESDAY AUGUST 8th
6pm: Keynote Speaker Kim Pate
@Student Campus Centre (SCC), 55 Gould Street, Ryerson University, Multi-purpose hall
7:30 – 9pm: Penal Abolition 101 Workshop
@Student Campus Centre (SCC), 55 Gould Street, Ryerson University
This workshop provides an introduction to the main ideas behind prison abolition and penal abolition. We will explain how the current penal system works, discuss its failures and explore alternatives. The workshop will cover:
* What is prison abolition? What is penal abolition?
* Why abolition? What is wrong with the current justice system?
* Is penal abolition realistic? Is it practical?
* Alternatives to the prison/penal system
To register for the workshop: s.lamble@utoronto.ca
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 9th
6pm: FILM SCREENING This Black Soil: A Story of Resistance and Rebirth
@Student Campus Centre (SCC), 55 Gould Street, Ryerson University
This inspiring and provocative film chronicles the successful struggle of Bayview, Virginia, a rural African-American community who stoped a jail from being built in their community and pursued a new vision of prosperity.
7:30 – 9pm: Prison Activism 101 Workshop
@Student Campus Centre (SCC), 55 Gould Street, Ryerson University
This workshop provides an overview of the prison activism in theory and practise. The workshop is also designed to provide opportunities to learn about and get connected with current prisoners’ justice campaigns. The workshop will cover:
* What key principles guide prison activism?
* What does prison activism look like in practise?
* What current campaigns are underway?
* How to get involved in prison activism – Ten concrete things you can do today!
To register for the workshop: s.lamble@utoronto.ca
THURSDAY AUGUST 10th
12 noon: OCAP March and Demonstration at the Police Services Board
DAVID MILLER: CALL OFF YOUR DOGS!
@All Saints Church (corner of Sherbourne and Dundas) Lunch Served.
Across the City of Toronto poor communities are feeling the full weight of the Toronto Police. They have gunned down Jeffrey Reodica, they have launched para-millitary assaults in the North End of the City, they have kicked in the windows of Alexandra Park, they have brutally assaulted people in east-end parks and all the while the Mayor of our City has given them a pat on the back. Meanwhile community programs have been cut, 60 Richmond drop-in has been shutdown, City bureaucrats are cutting families off welfare and we hear that there is no new money for housing. David Miller sitting in the mayors chair and on the Police Services Board is the person ultimately responsible for the brutality carried out and for the cuts slammed down peoples throats. August 10 is Prisoners Justice Day and we say: Call off your dogs and put the money where it's needed. Housing not jails and services not cops.
For more info contact OCAP: 416-925-6939 ocap@tao.ca www.ocap.ca
6:30–9pm Prisoners Justice Day Candle-Light Vigil & Rally
@Don Jail, 550 Gerrard St. East
A vigil to commemorate all those who have died in prisons or while held in state facilities against their will. Speakers include Osa Eribo, Jim Loney, Audrey Redman, Dudley Laws, Charlene Barker, Amber Kellen, Ibrahim Downey and Family and Friends of
Gary Freeman. Performers include Gein Wong.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 11th
6pm: Sumoud invites you to…HOSTAGES OF APARTHEID
A fundraiser in solidarity with Palestinian and Lebanese political prisoners
@ Steelworkers Hall, 33 Cecil (College/ Spadina).
SUMOUD is calling on all friends and allies to join us on August 11 for an evening of music, food and inspirational performances to remember the nearly 10,000 Palestinian and Lebanese political prisoners who are currently languishing in Zionist prisons and detention centers. As the Israeli apartheid regime continues massacring civilians in Lebanon and as Israeli military and police forces continue assaulting communities, neighborhoods, refugee camps, villages and ghettoes throughout Palestine let us take a moment together to reflect on the Palestinian and Lebanese fighters, activists and organizers being held hostage in Israeli prisons and be inspired by their example. All proceeds will go to support the work of Askar Refugee Camp Prisoners’ Support Committee in Nablus, Palestine and the Sanayeh Relief Center, Beirut
Tickets $10 in advance / 20$ (or more!) at the door
For advance tickets email us at: sumoud@tao.ca or pick them up at:
* A Different Booklist @ 746 Bathurst St.
* Toronto Women's Bookstore @ 73 Harbord Street
* OPIRG (UofT) @ 563 Spadina Ave, Room 101
* Another Story Bookshop @ 315 Roncesvalles Ave
For more info: http://sumoud.tao.ca/ sumoud@tao.ca
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12th
81 Reasons Rally & BBQ: Stop the proposed Youth Super Jail!
12:45pm-Buses leave from Toronto at St. George Subway Station for Chingacousy Park, Brampton
Join in the struggle to stop the provincial government from spending $81 million to build a youth superjail in Brampton. Youth and allies will be gathering in Brampton for a concert and barbeque against the proposed youth superjail. The event will take place from 2:00-6:00 p.m at Chingacousy Park (Bramalea and Queen St, Brampton).
To save a seat on the bus: 81reasons@gmail.com
8pm: BLACK AUGUST: Freedom Cry!
@ El Mocambo (located @ 464 Spadina Ave.)
Originating in the California Prison System to honour fallen freedom fighters, this revolutionary night of edu-tainment will be hosted by Soul-R & EvE, featuring a diverse lineup of conscious artists - including Afua Cooper, Treson, Strong, John Akpata (Ottawa), Sankofa, The Voyce, Sunray and Symbolik - w/ music by El
Machetero! Also featured will be choreographed martial arts demos by Axe!
Capoeira Toronto and Salvosa Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Ascension.
$5 - $10 donation.
Freedom Cry sponsors include El Mocambo, I.S.I.S. CIRCLE, Lite It Up Candles and Big It Up International. All door proceeds will go towards funding future PJAC initiatives.
For info, contact EvE @ 416.875.5514 & isiscircle@8rooks.com
To view the e-flyer, visit www.8rooks.com
SUNDAY AUGUST 13th
No One Is Illegal - Rally for Status for Non-Status People!
Stop all Detentions and Deportations!
1pm - Buses leave OISE (252 Bloor Street West) for the Heritage Inn Detention Centrefor 2pm (389 Rexdale Blvd).
http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org/
FOR MORE INFO ABOUT PRISONERS JUSTICE WEEK EVENTS:
« Prisoners Justice Week Organizing Committee: prisoners_justice_week@yahoo.ca
For more info: 416-920-9567
« Prisoners Justice Action Committee:
www.pjac.org
Please email to confirm Wheelchair Accessibility or inquire about any special needs
Prisoners Justice Week Media Sponsor: CKLN88.1fm
Prisoners Justice Week Sponsors & Endorsers Include:
Centre for Women and Trans People, York University
No One Is Illegal, Toronto
No One Is Illegal, Vancouver
Family & Friends of Gary Freeman
I.S.I.S. CIRCLE
8Rooks.Com
Coalition in Support of Indigenous Sovereignty
Black Youth Taking Action (BYTA)
Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP)
Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG-Toronto)
Coalition Against Psychiatric Assault (CAPA)
Sumoud - palestinian political prisoner group
CUPE-3903