In many ways, prisons are foundational to colonialism and apartheid, serving to remove people from their communities and repress movements for self-determination.
In May 2017, after 100 years of colonization, 70 years since the Nakba, and 50 years of intensified occupation, we salute the victory that the Palestinian prisoners achieved in their recent 40-day hunger strike (#DignityStrike). Let us remember that their struggle is the struggle of all Palestinians for freedom, justice and dignity.
1,500 Palestinian prisoners, out of nearly 6,500 political prisoners held in Israeli apartheid prisons, demanded the reinstatement of family visits, the right to education, access to the media and medical care. They also demanded the installation of public telephones and, more generally, the improvement of conditions of detention in order to reach acceptable standards under international law. In 40 days, the prisoners put their lives in danger, but most of these claims have been reached, and thankfully there were no deaths.
#DignityStrike : Montréal Solidarity Protest with the Palestinian Prisoner Hunger Strike
Saturday, May 20th, at 17h30
Norman Bethune square
(métro Guy-Concordia)
Tionni’tiotiah:ke, Kanien’kehá:ka territory
This demonstration is family friendly and will move at slow walking speed. If anyone needs mobility support for this protest please contact info@tadamon.ca 48 hours in advance and we will do our very best to assist and respond.
The Centre for Oral History and Digital Storytelling presents the launch of Nahla Abdo’s latest book Captive Revolution: Palestinian Women’s Anti-Colonial Struggle Within the Israeli Prison System.
A group of law students studying at the Faculty of Law at McGill University drafted a statement, in English and French, on behalf of themselves, and the broader legal community to condemn the continued violence against Gaza by Israeli forces. Specifically, the statement condemns the civilian causalities, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the violations of international law. The statement was written in response to the lack of vocal opposition, and in an effort to create a network of people united against such injustice.
The statement, entitled, “Members of the Legal Community Against the Israeli Assault on Gaza,” was circulated among law students, law professors, and legal organizations alike over the past weeks. It has gained support from over 50 people and organizations, including the Association des juristes progressistes in Quebec.
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On April 17, 2012, over 2,000 Palestinian prisoners launched an open-ended hunger strike that came to an end two days ago after some of their demands were met. Their strike was hit hard with retaliation from Israel Prison Services, including beatings, transferring from one prison to another, confiscation of salt (an act that could have severe health consequences for hunger strikers), denial of family and lawyer visits, and isolation and solitary confinement of hunger strikers. These are only some of the measures that the Israeli prison authorities use against political prisoners.
download Tadamon! popular education document at political prisoners pamphlet
Drawing by Molly Fair via Just Seeds for Certain Days: Political Prisoners Calendar
Popular education pamphlet created for recent Montreal event, on 10/12/2011, entitled “Political Imprisonment and State Impunity”, drawing attention to political prisoners all around the world from the Philippines, to Colombia, to Egypt, to Palestine and in both Canada and the US. Please download, print, distribute this PDF document that details specific campaigns and struggles involving political prisoners fighting for freedom on different corners all around the world.
Panel discussion and vigil on political prisoner struggles around the world.
photo Palestinian boy views photos of Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli jails.
