Where: St James United Church, 463 St Catherine West (metro McGill)
When: Saturday December 10th, 1pm – 4pm panel and food; 4pm – 5pm vigil and march ending at the U.S. consulate
We are living in a time of crisis. Around the world, people are facing austerity measures, poverty, war and violence, as those in power try to dig their way out of their mess by offloading it onto the oppressed.
As people rise up and resist, governments invariably resort to more and more repression, with prisons being one of their favored instruments. Indeed, wherever governments fear resistance, imprisonment is used pre-emptively against activists and target populations who would challenge their illegitimate power.
We see this happening all around the world, such as in the police brutality and arrest tactics used against the Occupy Wall Street movement. It is estimated that there are 356 political prisoners in the Phillipines, often members of trade unions, women’s organizations, human rights groups, peasant organizations and rebel peace negotiation teams. Following the overthrow of Mubarak in Egypt , 12,000 activists now face military trials, in an attempt to terrorrize those standing against the ruling military junta and for true economic justice and democracy. Arrests and imprisonment are also hallmarks of the repression waged against the popular resistance in occupied Palestine, where despite the recent prisoner exchange, over four thousand remain behind bars for resisting Israeli apartheid. Furthermore, dozens of political prisoners have spent decades behind bars in the United States for resisting the racist and militaristic policies of their government. Indeed, California prisoners captured the imaginations of people around the world this summer, as thousands engaged in a hunger strike against long-term solitary confinement, a central feature of the U.S. prison system.
Meanwhile, here in Canada, the Conservative government is about to go on a prison-building spree to make space for the thousands who will be locked up if their new crime bill passes. At the same time, several activists have just been sentenced to prison for their part in resisting the G20 spectacle last year in Toronto, where they will join Roger Clement, Nyki Kish and other Canadian political prisoners.
Around the world, the details change but the underlying reality is depressingly familiar: those who resist, or who might resist, are targeted for repression and imprisonment.
On Saturday, December 10, join us to share stories of struggle of political prisoners from Palestine to the Philippines and beyond.
Where: St James United Church, 463 St Catherine West (metro McGill)
When: 1pm – 4pm panel and food; 4pm – 5pm vigil and march ending at the U.S. consulate
Speakers on the Philippines, Egypt, Palestine, Latin America, and the United States.
Food will be served
Childcare will be available – please confirm 48 hours in advance to iwc_cti(@)yahoo.com
Whisper translation will be provided
Organized/Endorsed by Center for Philippine Concerns, Pinay, Women of Diverse Origins Network, Immigrant Workers Center, Certain Days Political Prisoners Calendar, Tadamon, PASC