Stop The Women's Jail Campaign Weekly Update 18/06/2001
1. Hawkesbury Council Motion Passed!
Last Tuesday Hawkesbury Council passed a motion to oppose the construction
of the jail and support the recommendations of the Select Committee
Inquiry. They will write a letter to the State government informing them of
their decision. Well done to councillor Leigh, Lyn From UWS and Tracey
Willow from Women's cottage.
The next step is pushing Penrith council to do the same which Tracey and
Radda are on to at the moment.
2. Fighting for Justice in a Racist System Forum & Community Meeting
When: Wed 20th
Where: Redfern Town Hall
Time: 6.30 pm
A panel of Speakers will be discussing issues around racialised punishment
in Australia, including:
*Mandatory Sentencing
*Detention Centres
*the Proposed New Womens' Jail
*Negative Welfare Changes Causing Greater Poverty
Speakers will be, Uncle Ray Jackson (Indigenous Social Justice
Association), Renee Lees and Noha Ramadan (Stop the Womens' Jail Campaign),
Speakers From Refugee Action Collective and the Indigenous Students Network
Stop the Women's Jail will also be launching its spanking new Anti-prisons
Resource Kit at this forum.
3. No Reconciliation Without Justice- July 1st Canberra
A big pro-indigenous rights march on parliament house is being held in
Canberra on Sunday July 1st. It is open to both indigenous and
non-indigenous Australians. Many Aboriginal people are travelling to this
protest from all over the country. The stop the women's jail campaign are
keen to have a presence at this protest and make a statement about the
continued over representation of indigenous people in prisons. Noha from
Justice Action is going to organise a working bee to paint a large banner
to take along.
If you would like to go with our campaign group you can get a cheap bus
trip down and back on the day for $10 with the Sydney university organised
buses. Phone Rene Lees this week for more details and to book a seat on
0408704276.
4. The Anti- Prison Kit is Out!
Stop the Women's Jail Campaign has written a very snazzy anti-prison's kit
which has just been printed up and is ready for mailing out. Thanks to
National Union Of Students Women's Dept. for the funding and Rene and Noha
for many hours of writing!
This kit has info about prisons and women, indigenous people, the mentally
ill, poor, drug and alcohol addicted and other campaign info.
Bridget will be distributing copies to Western Sydney and blue mountains
campaigners and welfare groups from next week. If you want to make sure you
get a copy call her on ph. 0247593599
Noha is sending them out this week to student organisations and aboriginal
groups. They will eventually be passed on to all community
organisations.You can get a copy free of charge by emailing
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
5. Published Campaign Articles
Over the last month or so there has been a number of articles published
about the women's jail campaign;
* Socialist Worker-paper of the International Socialist Worker, article
written by Rene Lees
*Newtown Bridge- The weekly Newtown community paper
*Hawkesbury Gazette- A story and photo of the 'Wings not Bars' rally. Plus
ongoing letters to the editor about the rally which will continue next week.
*Penrith Press- Prominent letter about campaign by Tracey Willow in Letters
to the Editor.
* Forum Flash- the newsletter of the Western Sydney Community Forum which
goes out to all community organisations has printed 1 page stories in the
last 2 editions.
*Local Community Services Association Newsletter a statewide publication
printed a one page story about the involvment of community workers in the
campaign in it's May edition.
*Blue Mountains Gazette- There has been a police article, and three letters
to the editor about the issue in the last three editions of the weekly paper.
* The Big Issue- An article is coming out in the next edition in 2weeks.
* Framed-the magazine of Justice Action has just come out again and has an
article about the campaign . It is being sent to all judges,
parliamentarians and jails across Australia.
6. Next Coalition Planning Meeting
A get together of campaigners to take stock of where we are at and plan
the next strategies. 10am July 5th Tri Community Exchange Penrith.
7. Upcoming Actions/stalls
Rene and Macquarie Uni are still planning actions outside Watkins and Carrs
offices we'll let you know more soon...
Stalls- Winter Magic Festival Saturday 23rd June, Katoomba.
The blue MTNS action group will be holding a stall on the main street of
Katoomba all day at the festival, selling tshirts and letter writing to
pollies. Drop by and lend a hand or say hello if your going.
The end
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