The war on drugs is a hoax, a failure and a tool for oppression. Come celebrate the amazing work being done locally to expose this injustice and to reform our prisons.
Saturday, November 21st from 7pm-Midnight: Social Justice Award Ceremony and Party. Main Street Landing Union Station, 1 Main Street, Burlington. Allen Gilbert of VT-ACLU will present the Ed Everts Award to Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform and Eugene Jarecki. Entertainment featuring DJs Melo Grant and Infinite Culcleasure. Chili, Indian fry-bread, beer, silent art auction and more!
Presented by Allen Gilbert, Executive Director of Vermont’s ACLU chapter, the award honors Eugene Jarecki for his film The House I Live In which is described by media critics as “a shattering case against the War on Drugs” and an “attack on America’s War on Drugs [that] contends it is a grotesquely wasteful public-works scheme.” Since its release in 2012 the film has won the Grand Jury Prize for a Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival as well as a Peabody Award in 2014.
The Social Justice Activist Award also honors Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform for their dedicated work to advance criminal justice reform in the Green Mountain State. In working toward a more restorative and effective criminal justice response, Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform has highlighted racial bias in our policing and sentencing practices and has consistently called upon the State to end its use of private prisons. Additionally, they have also served as a vehicle for inmates and families to have a voice before the press, the Department of Corrections, and the legislature.
“The war on drugs is a hoax and a failure. Our incarceration rate is out of control. It is fueling and fueled by corporate interests. It’s time we stand up against these systems of economic and racial injustice,” said Peace & Justice Center Executive Director Rachel Siegel. “Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform and Eugene Jarecki are doing this,” she continued. “I’m excited that we can shine a light on their work and celebrate together. It’s time for a party!”
Tickets range from $25-$500 are available through pjcvt.org or through in-store purchase at the Peace & Justice Store, 60 Lake Street. Free for people living with convictions or who have incarcerated family members. Also free for high school students and younger.
Get your tickets online:
Sponsored by Citizen Cider, Switchback Ale, Vermont Tent Company, WRUV and Main Street Landing.