Prisoners' Justice Day

August 10, 1974 - prisoner Eddie Nalon bled to death in a segregation cell at Millhaven Penitentiary near Kingston, Ontario after slashing himself in protest of how he was being treated by guards. Millhaven's segregation cells were equipped with emergency call buttons but the one in Eddie's cell had been intentionally disabled by prison staff.

One year later to the day, other inmates commemorated Eddie's passing by engaging on a peaceful one-day fast and refusing to work.

This tradition has continued to this day in Canadian jails, with outside supporters also joining in  by holding vigils, rallies, educational events - or  themselves fasting in solidarity with prisoners that are doing so.

This is Prisoners' Justice Day. August 10.

This year's vigil in Toronto was once again held outside the notorious Don Jail.

Speakers and performers shared of the horrors the system holds. People buried alive for decades. A beloved friend gunned down by guards. Willful denial of essential health services. The list goes on and on.

Comparisons were drawn by still others between prisons, the 'mental health' system, institutions used to warehouse the mentally disabled and even 'long-term care' facilities - all places  where people are not free to come and go as they wish and abuse is rife.

But along with all this pain and horror comes hope for healing and redemption as we come together in community to confront these abuses.

We will keep coming  together and speaking out until no one remains behind bars. There are other ways. That is the power of community.