August 10th 2015 will mark the 40th Prisoners’ Justice Day (PJD). PJD emerged as a prisoner-initiated day of
non-violent strike action to commemorate the death of Eddie Nalon in the
segregation unit of Millhaven maximum-security penitentiary on August 10th
1974. It was first observed in
1975. In 1976, the prisoners of Millhaven
issued a communication “To All Prisoners and Concerned Peoples from across
Canada”, calling for one-day hunger strikes in opposition to the use of
solitary confinement and in support of prisoners’ rights, in memory of Eddie
Nalon, as well as Robert Landers, who also died alone in ‘the hole’. Since that time, PJD has become an internationally-recognized day of solidarity and action, both inside and
outside the prison, to commemorate deaths in custody and reflect upon other
human rights atrocities behind bars.
"PJD" by Neal Freeland (1995)
CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
In the month leading up to August 10th, this blog invites current and former prisoners, their loved
ones and families, and allies to contribute written statements and artwork on
any theme related to PJD. Please
indicate whether you would also like these contributions to be read or showcased during the PJD
events on Algonquin Territory / in Ottawa (for details see below) and/or included in a future
issue of the Journal of Prisoners on Prisons. Send your
writing and art to Justin Piché by email at justin.piche@uottawa.ca or by mail at
the following address:
Prisoners’ Justice Day on Algonquin Territory / in Ottawa
c/o Journal of
Prisoners on Prisons
Justin Piché, PhD
Department of
Criminology
University of
Ottawa
120 University
Private, Room 13049
Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada
K1N 6N5
Written works and art will be posted on this blog throughout this month
to generate public awareness about PJD, deaths in custody and human rights
abuses behind bars. Please return to this website frequently in the month ahead to learn more.
PJD
EVENTS ON ALGONQUIN TERRITORY / IN OTTAWA
ON AUGUST 10th 2015
ON AUGUST 10th 2015
This year, the PJD organizing committee on Algonquin Territory / in
Ottawa are putting together a private event and public march to commemorate the
lives lost and denounce the continued abuses taking place behind bars. Bus
tickets will be provided as needed and $20 honorariums will be offered to those
with lived experiences of imprisonment who speak or have their writing and
artwork shared at the private or public events.
The first event (private) is an afternoon of solidarity with the criminalized and imprisoned
from 2:00pm to 6:00pm in room 101 of the Jack Purcell Community Centre located
at 320 Jack Purcell Lane off Elgin Street. The venue is wheelchair accessible.
- Former prisoners, people with loved ones and family members who are in prison, and allies are welcome to make statements to express their unity with current prisoners and resistance to state repression in a safe space with no media present.
- Groups and organizations that work with criminalized persons are invited to setup information tables so that members from the community can learn about your work and access resources. Those interested in tabling are asked to call or text Sam Rice at 613-552-4407 or email srice@cmhaottawa.ca.
- Those present will
also be able to participate in healing art projects.
The
second event (public) is a
march
against deaths in custody and other human rights atrocities behind bars
from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. To pay
respects on this non-violent day of action, the peaceful march will start
outside the Jack Purcell Centre (320 Jack Purcell Lane). Statements by former prisoners, people with
loved ones and family members in prison, and allies can be made during vigils at the office of Ottawa
Centre MPP and Ontario Minister of Corrections and Community Safety Yasir Naqvi
(109 Catherine Street), Correctional Service of Canada National Headquarters
(340 Laurier Avenue West), and the Human Rights Monument (at the corner of
Elgin Street and Lisgar Street). Media
and police may be present at the march and the three stops along the way.
Those interested in speaking
out during this public rally and want to prepare for interactions with
reporters covering PJD are invited to attend a media training session on Tuesday, July 28 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm
facilitated by Justin Piché. This media
workshop will be followed by a PJD
preparation meeting from 7:00pm to 9:00pm to make materials like a banner
for the march. To sign-up for either the
media training and/or PJD preparation meeting contact Justin by phone or text
at 613-793-1093 or by email at justin.piche@uottawa.ca.
FOR MORE
INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT US AGAIN AT
"Prison Justice Day" by Peter Collins
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