Resistance Behind Bars: The Struggles of Incarcerated Women

I’ll be delivering the keynote speech at the 2009 Edmonton Anarchist Bookfair on Friday, 2 October. The talk starts at 7 pm; doors open at 6:30 pm.

The talk will be at Ukrainian Centre: 11018-97st Edmonton. A map of the area can be found here.

In addition, on Saturday afternoon, from 2:30 to 3:30 pm, I’ll be facilitating a workshop on how anarchists and other outside activists can support women struggling and resisting on the inside.

When Sara met G.G., the 31-year-old man who would become her pimp, she was 11. Sara's mom struggled with drug addiction, so when G.G. would drive Sara and her friends to the roller skating rink or the mall, it felt like having a real parent around. He gave Sara presents and told her she was special- so special, that she should never give sex away for free. He convinced her she was a product.

G.G. groomed Sara like this for two years before he raped her. By then, his control was complete and he forced her into prostitution. Sara and the other girls who G.G.

Greetings friends of Free Battered Women,

We are working to help secure the release of three domestic violence survivors Bea Smith-Dyer, Martina Olea & Patricia Joellen Johnson, and we need your support.* Currently we are having trouble with our online fax-alert so we are asking you to please email and call the Governor directly!*

• - Call the Governor at 916-445-0873 and tell the Legal Affairs staff that you support Bea Smith-Dyer, Martina Olea and Patricia Joellen Johnson's release on parole!

Oklahoma woman is bucking the system

Documentary Sweethearts follows rodeo team of female prisoners

Published: September 14, 2009

"I just wanted to get outside the fence, you know, the legal way, because I'd been locked up for so long," she said. Brooks is one of several former inmates at the Eddie Warrior Correctional Center in Taft who will step out of the shadows of prison life and into the limelight of national television Thursday during the Cinemax premier of "Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo."

The documentary, directed by Bradley Be

*CALL NOW for HUMAN RIGHTS!*

The federal courts have ordered a reduction in the California prison population by 44,000 over the next 2 years to relieve the *inhumane conditions caused by overcrowding*. Governor Schwarzenegger has said he will appeal!*we have until September 3rd to change his decision!*

The judges found conditions in prison to be so unhealthy that prisoners? constitutional rights are being violated, amounting to *cruel and unusual punishment*.

High female incarceration rate bemoaned by Oklahoma officials

www.NewsOK.com

BY TIM TALLEY/Associated Press Writer

from Free Battered Women

Parole Reversals

On August 14th, 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger released his decision to reverse parole for both Norma Cumpian & Linda Lee Smith despite the fact that the Board of Parole Hearings had found them each suitable for parole.

This is the first time Norma was found suitable for parole. She is a 39-year-old woman who has spent 17 years at the California Institution for Women for the death of her abusive partner.

NY largely bans use of shackles during childbirth
By CRISTIAN SALAZAR Associated Press Writer © 2009 The Associated Press

August 24, 2009 - For immediate release:

JUST RELEASED FROM PRISON AFTER 26+ YEARS, DEBORAH PEAGLER TO ADDRESS HER CASE AND HER CAUSE

Days after being released from prison, Deborah Peagler, a victim of domestic violence who was incarcerated for over 26 years for her connection to the murder of her abuser, will make her first public appearance this Wednesday. Her supporters are encouraged to attend.

In 1983, Peagler was sentenced to 25 years to life for her connection to the murder of Oliver Wilson, the man who abused her, forced her into prostitution, and molested her d

from Guerrilla Mama Medicine:

it is an incredible book. i had to put it down several times because i was crying. the stories in there speak to a word that i have just learned to re posses. bravery. and courage. and solidarity.

but also it speaks to me of what an amazing gift it is to be able to organize, build community, speak up for ourselves and our loved ones.