Sept 8, 2023 – SRO’s…
Globe and Mail – Kanika Samuels-Wortley, Scot Wortley and Sandra Bucerius
Police in schools has long been a topic of debate. In Alberta, at least, the students have spoken
This op-ed is written by three University of Alberta professors who offer their opinions and conclusions around the current status of the school resource officer or the SRO and the perceived positives and negatives are for their presence in schools. “Between 2022 and 2023 we conducted research on SRO programs within both the Edmonton Catholic and public school systems. Our multimethod approach included a review of official SRO records and focus groups, interviews and surveys with over 11,000 students, 4,000 parents and 650 teachers. These are the largest and most comprehensive such studies in Canada. Unlike most other Canadian studies, we explicitly set out to explore and understand the perceptions and experiences of racialized and marginalized students.” The cost factor is not examined, nor the difference in salary between police and teachers. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-police-in-schools-has-long-been-a-topic-of-debate-in-alberta-at-least/
Human Rights Watch (US) –
No US State Meets Child Rights Standards – Updated Scorecard Shows Improvement, but Many States Still Fail Children
Here is an astounding claims from the US Human Rights Watch: No state in the US meets the International Human Rights Standards for children. “Children in the US can be legally married in 41 states, physically punished by school administrators in 47 states, sentenced to life without parole in 22 states, and work in hazardous agriculture conditions in all 50 states. As the only UN member state that has failed to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the US falls far below internationally adopted standards.” https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/09/07/no-us-state-meets-child-rights-standards?s=03
St. Leonard’s Society (Canada)
Advocating for the least restrictive measures
The title reflects Canadian law and the proper perspective on punishment guiding the Correctional Services of Canada. The presentation is by Mary Campbell, Former Director General of Corrections & Criminal Justice at Public Safety Canada. “Join us online to discuss how to respond to decision-makers and the public about harmful narratives that support locking people up in unnecessarily harsh conditions. Mary will provide context to help us continue advocating for humane and effective practices within Canadian corrections.” Date: Tuesday, September 12, 2023 Time: 12pm – 1pm EST Location: online via Zoom Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceBc3CSuuGxr52mr6hI1KeATHgJEE1rUgs2DnYzTibvPYifw/viewform
Tweet from Mohammed Safa on Racism: “No Chinese baby was ever born speaking Chinese. No French baby was ever born speaking French. No English baby was ever born speaking English. They had to listen to their parents to learn the language. No one is born racist, they’re taught racism, stop teaching it.” https://twitter.com/mhdksafa/status/1698331678718976279?s=20
The Appeal (US) – Nick Hacheney
I’m Getting Out After Decades in Prison. But Prison Might Follow Me Home.
“Incarcerated writer Nick Hacheney is getting ready to leave after being incarcerated for more than 20 years. He’s glad he’ll have his freedom—but he’s also worried about the lack of care for long time prisoners, the trauma he’s endured, and what the world outside holds.” https://theappeal.org/authors/nick-hacheney/
Scalawag Magazine (US) –
Condemned: A Week of Writing
This is an interesting presentation of current and archives material around both capital punishment and the life without parole sentence. The various articles celebrate the Week for Abolition in the US. It strongly reflects the abolitionist view of both capital punishment and prison, and is flavoured by its geographic location in the US south. The presentation is worthwhile for anyone looking for an eclectic recap of our best instincts toward not killing or brutalizing one another. https://scalawagmagazine.org/condemned/?utm_source=ScalawagPrimary&utm_campaign=f37a5230cf-9-7-23_September-Roundup_ne&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-7b66022a71-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=f37a5230cf&mc_eid=cf74571f1b (ED note: Scalawag is also playing a strong role in resistance to Atlanta’s determination to build Cop City. Cf https://scalawagmagazine.org/ )
Homeless Hub – David French and Stephanie Vasko
Transitions from Child Protection: International Lessons to Prevent Youth Homelessness in Canada
The article is at once and explanation of the high risk for youth who age out of the child protection services without having in place housing, educational, emotional supports or realistic employment prospects, inviting say French and Vasko, a life of homelessness. “Child protection services play a key role in ensuring the safety and well-being of children. Canada does not have national standards for providing care for youth in or leaving care. Through their child welfare ministries, the provincial and territorial governments are responsible for assisting children in need of protection. Each jurisdiction has its own child protection legislation and regulations, each with its own unique policies and practices that are constantly evolving.” The International Transitions from Child Protection Symposium in Richmond, BC October 12-13, 2023. Register here. Continue reading to learn more.” https://www.homelesshub.ca/blog/transitions-child-protection-international-lessons-prevent-youth-homelessness-canada?utm_campaign=hh&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter
The Record (Waterloo, ON) – Paige Desmond
Oneroof closing Kitchener youth drop-in centre – Executive director Sandy Dietrich-Bell said the organization has seen an increase in expenses
After 35 years of operation, the Oneroof Centre is closing its drop in program Lifeline which provides youth with “drop-in space and essential services like laundry, showers, meals, hygiene items and food hampers for young people aged 12 to 25, who are not living at the shelter, but may be experiencing homelessness or housing precarity.” Desmond and activist Jessica Hutchison draw attention to the connection between the lack of these services to youth and the frequent criminalization of youth following the loss of safe gathering space. https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/oneroof-closing-kitchener-youth-drop-in-centre/article_e02710a1-fcf8-52b1-a86f-fc92d9815697.html Tweet from Jessica Hutchinson on Criminalizing youth: “The alarm bells should be ringing as @oneROOFYouth has to close their youth drop-in program due to a lack of funding. They need $500k to operate. Youth who use this program will now be criminalized as they will be hanging out on the street & other spaces.” https://twitter.com/Jessichutchison/status/1699536569256845438?s=20 (cf Oneroof https://twitter.com/oneROOFYouth/status/1689668957505007616?s=20 )
The Conversation (Queen’s) – Kyle Matthews, Executive Director, The Montréal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies, Concordia University
4 ways to rein in China and Russia, alleged superpower perpetrators of atrocity crimes
Few political or social activists today would deny that the notion of putting an end to gross moral and legal misconduct by leaders of superpowers is perplexing and seemingly out of reach. Matthews has four suggestion for confronting these leaders: awareness and education; diplomatic initiative; strengthening the mechanisms of justice; and Article 51 of the UN Charter: “the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations.” https://theconversation.com/4-ways-to-rein-in-china-and-russia-alleged-superpower-perpetrators-of-atrocity-crimes-212299?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20September%206%202023&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20September%206%202023+CID_37268b2dac6740f61535f95eee247837&utm_source=campaign_monitor_ca&utm_term=4%20ways%20to%20rein%20in%20China%20and%20Russia%20alleged%20superpower%20perpetrators%20of%20atrocity%20crimes