Prisoners' Justice Day Vigil August 10th, 2024 Parc Vinet, Metro Lionel-Groulx 2-5 pm
Every August 10th, prisoners participate in Prisoners’ Justice Day (PJD) by fasting and refusing to work for the day. The practice dates back to 1975 when imprisoned people at Millhaven Penitentiary, located outside Kingston, Ontario, organized a day-long hunger strike, work stoppage, and memorial service to honour two prisoners who had died in solitary confinement.
This year is the 50th anniversary of the death of one of those prisoners—Edward Nalon. On August 10th,1974, Eddie bled to death while in solitary confinement at Millhaven. According to prisonjustice.ca, "Eddie was serving a life sentence and had been in and out of segregation from the start of his sentence. He was well familiar with prison procedures and knew the workings of the Segregation Review Board. Even though Eddie took his own life in the early morning hours of August 10th, the evidence clearly shows that the hand that held the razor blade belongs solely to the prison system and its apathetic administrators." This year, we honour Eddie and hold the prison system responsible for all those who die by suicide inside. Whether it's called "the hole" or solitary confinement or "structured intervention units," the isolation and lack of communication continue to this day and cause great pain and suffering.
We fight for an end to all forms of solitary confinement and all forms of prison!
Join us in Parc Vinet on August 10th for a vigil featuring speakers, tables with relevant literature, and all your local prisoner justice collectives.
—Accessible bathrooms on site —Playground on site with childcare provided
Graphics by Tegan B, Paris K & Zola in collaboration with people inside prison in QC
