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Please Note: Events listed on this calendar are not organized by the Punch Up Collective unless otherwise noted in the event details.
Prisoners’ Justice Day 2025 (Ottawa)
Please join us at the Human Rights Memorial on Elgin Street as we mourn the loss of countless prisoners whose lives have been taken from us by the Canadian Carceral System, and as we celebrate the courage of prisoners who chose to fight it.
Prisoners’ Justice Day, which grew to become International Prisoners’ Justice Day in the 90s, began as a hunger strike on August 10th, 1975 in response to the death of Edward “Eddie” Nalon. Eddie bled to death in the segregation unit of Millhaven Maximum Security Prison located in Bath, Ontario in 1974 because the guards had dismantled his panic button.
Event information:
We will be holding space for anyone who wishes to tell their story, speak about the confinement of their loved ones, or the circumstances surrounding their engagement with the carceral system.
There will also be a speakers list for people who wish to prepare a speech. If you’re not on our email list, please see one of the organizers on the day of the event to be added to the speakers list, or just raise your hand if you would like to say something.
The event will begin at 11am and we will have water bottles and snacks on hand for anyone who needs them. Many people who attend PJD each year have a lot of experience with the intense feelings of mourning that accompany the day, so please feel free to reach out to people for support.
Members of Mothers Offering Mutual Support, The Criminalization and Punishment Education Project, and the Millhaven Lifers Liaison Group will be attending and speaking at the event.
We do ask for patience and humility on this day as people remember and express their memories of isolation and degradation. Discrimination and bigotry will not be tolerated.
Please keep yourself updated on the event by visiting this page or CPEP’s website and social media pages. We would be happy to grow or change the event with your support!
There is also a ride-share that is heading to Kingston to support The P4W Memorial Collective at 9am on August 10th. The sign-up form is here for those interested: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSefA17fmeyWVS…/viewform