Aug 31, 2023 – A little success…
The Dismas Fellowship – 2003 -2023
This celebration is worthy of notice in that in times of struggle with and often harshness from government and the public towards formerly incarcerated persons, this determined group has not only survived its 20 years but has spread a host of other centres across Ontario as well. “To our amazement 20 years later our group is thriving and has grown! Dismas Fellowships now exist in communities from Brockville to Sarnia based on a common set of values and a model of a meal and a fellowship circle. Our groups are supported by the generosity of the community without dependence on government funding.” Some may well remember Harry Nigh who is still working for Dismas House. One can donate or send along congrats at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/676658583037 (Home page: Dismas House Toronto https://dismasfellowshipnetwork.com/toronto/ )
CBC News – Peter Zimonjic
Ottawa warns LGBTQ travellers they could be hit by U.S. state laws – Freeland says she’s concerned with ‘safety of every single Canadian and of every single group of Canadians’
In Canada, this coming school year is sure to be fraught with tension and controversy over gender issues in our schools (witness New Brunswick and Saskatchewan), but rarely have there been aspersions on the reception waiting for Canadian LGBTQ2 community members who visit the US. Global Affairs Canada has opened a special section of its travel advisories suggesting that the rise in anti-LGBTQ2 legislation requires travellers to be safe to be aware of what has happening locally on gender issues. “That advice tells travellers to beware of laws that criminalize same-sex activities and relationships, or target people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity… That advice also warns travellers that laws to curb vagrancy and public nuisance incidents could also be used to target them in an effort “to criminalize 2SLGBTQI+ people.” https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/global-affairs-lgbt-unitedstates-warning-1.6950833 Related article: ipolitics.com – Canadian Press Global Affairs Canada issues LGBTQ+ travel advisory for United States “Carefully consider whether you are comfortable visiting a destination where the laws and social customs affecting (LGBTQ+) people differ from those in Canada,’ the government warns.” https://www.ipolitics.ca/news/global-affairs-canada-issues-lgbtq-travel-advisory-for-united-states Related article: Toronto Star – Omar Mosleh Gender identity, pronouns and schools: Poilievre and others say leave it to parents. Parents say they want to know. Here’s what experts say – A new Angus Reid survey found that opinion on whether parents must provide consent is more divided. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/parents-should-be-informed-if-child-wants-to-change-gender-identity-or-pronouns-poll/article_1f706dee-e94e-5dd0-8976-2c6d2d49dcad.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=National&utm_content=parentsshould Related: Tweet from Rev Dr. Jacqui Lewis on children and gender: “Parents do not own their children. Kids are people, not things. They have a right to privacy about their sexuality and gender identity—to choose when and to whom they share those intimate details about their life.” https://twitter.com/RevJacquiLewis/status/1696887626647613746?s=20
Toronto Star – Fakiha Baig The Canadian Press
12 new charges against Kenneth Law, accused of selling deadly substance – Police lay 12 new charges against Kenneth Law
His clients are people who are vulnerable and high risk for suicide; he has sold the noxious substance packages to over 1200 people in over 40 countries, using the internet and the postal services. “Police have alleged Law, a 57-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., used a series of websites to market and sell sodium nitrite, a common preservative that’s deadly at high levels, alongside other items used in cases of self-harm.” https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/12-new-charges-against-kenneth-law-accused-of-selling-deadly-substance/article_4b0224c0-493c-595f-a98e-4cd3c3af34d7.html Related article: CBC News (BC) – Chad Pawson B.C. sets new record with 1,455 drug deaths in 1st 7 months of 2023 – July marks 13th consecutive month when more than 190 residents have died due to toxic drugs https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/toxic-drug-deaths-july-2023-1.6950922 Related article: CBC News They lived, they were loved, then suddenly they were gone: Stories of lives lost to toxic drugs https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/features/2023/toxic-drug-deaths/?cmp=newsletter_CBC%20News%20Morning%20Brief_9728_1256033 (Ed note: A Data bank of stories of 35 people who died from overdoses in BC. Scroll below the dots graphic to the individual photo.)
San Antonio Current (Texas) –
Texas inmates soaking bedsheets in toilet water to cool off in unairconditioned prisons – Last week, Democrats including San Antonio-Austin Congressman Greg Casar called on lawmakers to open an investigation into prison conditions in Texas.
This is a gross allegation and if the investigations uphold the numbers presented by one Texas newspaper, the Texas Tribune, then 41 incarcerated persons have died of heat related causes this summer alone and in the 70% of prisons without air conditioning. The Texas Department of Corrections says no one has died since 2012. The department of Justice is holding hearings in Huntsville and parents and loved one are describing the conditions in the prisons. Advocates are looking for a federal inquiry. https://www.sacurrent.com/news/texas-inmates-soaking-bedsheets-in-toilet-water-to-cool-off-in-unairconditioned-prisons-32513249 Related tweet from Worth Rises on conditions in Texas prisons: “The ongoing reports of conditions within Texas prisons are horrendous and should act as reminders that ALL of these conditions are by design. We must hold lawmakers accountable for their failure to address these human rights abuses.” https://twitter.com/WorthRises/status/1696566439623225592?s=20 Related article: National Public Radio – Nomin Ujiyediin Missouri prisons ban friends and family from sending books to prisoners https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-08-29/missouri-prisons-ban-friends-and-family-from-sending-books-to-prisoners Related tweet from Kathy Morse on Missouri Prisons Book ban: People incarcerated in Missouri prisons will no longer be able to receive books and other publications from friends and family starting Sept. 25. https://twitter.com/KathyMorse0914/status/1696664737033916700?s=20 Related article: Prison Fellowship How can Parole and Credit Policies Reduce Recidivism? No Life Is Beyond Redemption (A helpful review of the history and purpose of parole and how to make it effective, especially from the family viewpoint.) https://www.prisonfellowship.org/2020/12/parole-and-credit-policies-reduce-recidivism/#at_pco=smlwn-1.0&at_si=62f5705ef80d99c7&at_ab=per-2&at_pos=0&at_tot=1 Tweet from Prison Fellowship: “When you’re on parole, your family is on #parole. It’s not just you.” Read more of @brotherjonkelly’s story on the impact of tight community supervision restrictions.” https://twitter.com/JusticeReform/status/1696855939687588205?s=20 Related article: CBC News (NF) – Sarah Smellie Inmates in Her Majesty’s Penitentiary say they feel hopeless, alone and increasingly unwell – Visits and recreation have been cut back because of staffing shortages, says inmate https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/her-majestys-penitentiary-1.6951813
N.Y. Times – Somini Sengupta
Children Have a Right to Sue Nations over Climate, U.N. Panel Says – The finding doesn’t have the force of law, but is notable because it is based on one of the most widely accepted international treaties.
Many countries, including Canada, have endorsed the UN Convention on the Rights of Children. This pronouncement may bring us to new territory. Advocates have constantly held out for environmental protection on the grounds that we play with our children’s future but this finding is our best expression of those child rights. “This week, their efforts received an endorsement from an independent panel of experts that interprets United Nations human rights law, the Committee on the Rights of the Child. In an expansive 20-page document released Monday, the committee said all countries have a legal obligation to protect children from environmental degradation — including by “regulating business enterprises” — and to allow their underage citizens to seek legal recourse.” The declaration is followed by numerous practical problems such as strategy, financing and legal expertise. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/28/climate/united-nations-children-climate-lawsuit.html (United Nations Convention on the rights of the Child: Committee on the Rights of the child – Aug 22, 2023 (Ed note: Download the 20 page document in pdf form at: https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=CRC%2FC%2FGC%2F26&Lang=en
CBC News – the Canadian Press
Australians to vote on whether to recognize Indigenous people in constitution – Referendum will be held Oct. 14, prime minister announced Wednesday
Australians have moved from consideration and discussion about including Aboriginal people in their constitution to a public vote on the proposed law to do so. “The referendum would enshrine in the constitution an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, a collection of advocates aimed at giving the nation’s most disadvantaged ethnic minority more say on government policy.” https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/australia-indigenous-referendum-constitution-1.6951509
Tweet from Jeffrey Levin quoting Robert Reich (US advocates): “The moral crisis of our times has nothing to do with gay marriage or abortion; it’s insider trading, obscene CEO pay, wage theft from ordinary workers, Wall Street’s continuing gambling addiction, corporate payoffs to friendly politicians, and the billionaire takeover of our democracy.” https://twitter.com/jilevin/status/1696658279353450722?s=20