Prisoners' Justice Day began to commemorate the death of Eddie Nalon, who bled to death in the segregation unit of Millhaven prison on August 10, 1974.
On the first anniversary of Eddie's death, prisoners at Millhaven refused to work, went on a one-day hunger strike and held a memorial service, even though doing so was guaranteed a stint in solitary confinement.
On May 21, 1976, another prisoner, Robert Landers, died in the segregation unit at Millhaven. That year on August 10, thousands of prisoners across Canada participated in a one-day hunger strike, while Prison Justice Day Committees were formed in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia to organize community events.
August 10, 2012, marks the 37th Prisoners Justice Day. On this day, prisoners across Canada and around the world will fast and refuse to work, while outside friends, family members, and supporters will hold events in solidarity with people inside, to call attention to the terrible conditions in prisons, as well as in other carceral spaces like immigration detention and psychiatric facilities.
In Montreal, join us for a week of activities, as our different movements and communities come together to remember the fallen and to stand in solidarity with the ongoing struggles of prisoners here and around the world.
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