THIS BLOG is NOW RETIRED
I began this blog in May 2009 following the death of Marcia Powell at Perryville State Prison in Goodyear, Arizona. It is not intended to prescribe the path that leads to freedom from the prison industrial complex.
Rather, these are just my observations in arguably the most racist, fascist, militaristic state in the nation at a critical time in history for a number of intersecting liberation movements. From Indigenous resistance to genocidal practices, to the fight over laws like SB1070 and the ban on Ethnic Studies, Arizona is at the center of many battles for human rights, and thus the struggle for prison abolition as well - for none are free until all are. I retired the blog in APRIL 2013.
Visit me now at Arizona Prison Watch or Survivors of Prison Violence-AZ
Rather, these are just my observations in arguably the most racist, fascist, militaristic state in the nation at a critical time in history for a number of intersecting liberation movements. From Indigenous resistance to genocidal practices, to the fight over laws like SB1070 and the ban on Ethnic Studies, Arizona is at the center of many battles for human rights, and thus the struggle for prison abolition as well - for none are free until all are. I retired the blog in APRIL 2013.
Visit me now at Arizona Prison Watch or Survivors of Prison Violence-AZ
BLOG POSTS
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Occupy 4 Prisons fundraiser: Angela Davis in Oakland.
Oakland's done a fabulous job with Occupy 4 Prisoners. This fundraiser is coming up at the Grand Lake Theater March 1. Hit it if you can...
Heartfelt
gratitude is extended to Allen Michaan. His longstanding generosity
and support of the movement is legendary. He made this event possible.
A
huge thank you to everyone who attended last night's event and/or
supported it in any way. Special thanks to Crystal and Barbara for
their efforts to help create the program, and to Denise for bringing the
Message Wall and organizing the Truth Mob. And thanks to each of the
musicians, speakers, readers, assistants, and other individuals who
contributed to the program, publicity, and/or logistics.
UPDATE, MARCH 3, 2012
This is how the benefit went, with the link below that you can hit to catch some of it:
What
a night! A benefit fundraiser for Occupy4Prisoners brought in a crowd
of between 300-350 people. In addition to the screening of newly
released documentary, Broken On All Sides, the program consisted of
music, an introduction by the Truth Mob, and a line up of eloquent
speakers, including Barbara Becnel, Elaine Brown, and Angela Davis.
Statements from incarcerated individuals, giving voice to those behind
walls, included a call-in from from Kevin Cooper from San Quentin's
death row. it was an amazingly successful night that exceeded our
expectations, and left me breathless with hope and amazement.
For those who could not be there, the program portion of the event is available on ustream at this link: http://www.ustream.tv/ recorded/20818490
The
film itself was a serous eye opener about the Prison Industrial
Complex, and it got rave reviews. Here's one, posted on twitter, by
OakFoSho:
What an EPIC documentary. Tears in my eyes. Everyone see "Broken on all Sides." Wow. #Occupy4Prisoners #OO #OW S
One of the highlights of the evening was an stunning vocal performance
by Elaine Brown
after the screening
. Tributes to the Jackson brothers, one each to George and Jonathan, were moving and powerful.
Elaine ended the program with "We Shall Overcome."
The
glow of this night will will linger for some time. I had previewed the
film twice before on a small screen. But seeing it in a theater with
over 300 clapping, cheering activists was a completely different
experience! Scenes such as an Occupy Philadelphia march with a speaker
calling "We Need a Movement! " or "Let
us believe that if Harriet Tubman could organize slaves without an
ipad, email, cell phones... that surely we can organize people across
the United States of America now!" were moments not to be forgotten.
We do have a Movement, and we are organizing. That is clear.
Truly blessed and honored to do this, in solidarity with each of you.
Rachel Victoria
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