Resisting the Prison Industrial Complex: Moving from Reform to Abolition
We are at a critical point in correctional policy and legislation in Canada (Turtle Island). The Harper government has passed legislation that will ensure a significant increase in the prison population during a time when crime rates continue to decline. We know that this is a business decision, to lock people up for profit (specifically Indigenous communities, People of Colour, women, queer and trans communities, people with disabilities, activists etc).
Join us for a discussion on ways to resist the Prison Industrial Complex and to pursue the goal of a world without prisons or borders through reform-based initiatives, transformative justice, alternatives to incarceration, the Idle No More movement, and connecting local struggles to global movements working against the PIC.
Speakers include:
Trini is a Trinidadian radical queer sex positive feminist. She is an (im)migrant and refugee rights activist and anti- racist community organizer with No One Is Illegal London and has extensive experience working in preventing violence against women field. She can be found wandering London in search of Trini doubles.
Sâkihitowin Awâsis: Awâsis is a mixed Métis Two-Spirit of the Carré Clan. They are a spoken word artist, community organizer, and writer currently based out of London, Ontario.
Syrus Marcus Ware is a visual artist, community activist, researcher, youth-advocate and educator. Syrus is a founding member of the Prison Justice Action Committee of Toronto and for the past 14 years, Syrus has hosted the weekly radio segment, “Resistance on the Sound Dial” heard each Saturday on CIUT 89.5FM.
Humberto Ponce de Leon, a political refugee from Colombia and member of LACASA, the Canadian solidarity campaign in support of Colombian Political Prisoners, and the International Network in Solidarity with Colombian Political Prisoners.
Giselle Dias is a counselor and therapist who works with victims of violence, prisoners and ex-prisoners. She has been working in the field of criminal (in)justice for almost 20 years and is a strong proponent for Transformative justice programs and alternatives to incarceration
Prisoners' Justice Film Festival 