August 15th

We continued to talk about the forum Audism and the Toronto Police Services and heard a clip from the forum outlining the struggles of two deaf womem and their highly frustrating interactions with the police and their constant need to explain the need for a qualified interpreter.

We also talked with Lydia from the Women’s Coordinating Committee Chile Canada about the over 200 Mapuche political prisoners in southern Chile. Lydia talked about the history of the colonization of the Mapuche people, their ongoing struggles for autonomy and land reclamation and the mechanisms deployed by the state to criminalize dissent (such as the anti-terrorism act and military courts). We heard about the role of women as supporters. We were also informed about the rally outside the Chilean consulate on August 12, 2010 and some of the political contensions within the Chilean community.

Finally, to wrap up programming for Prisoner Justice Day, we heard from speakers at a vigil organized on Prisoner Justice Day (August 10) outside the Dawn Jail in Toronto.