Event: A Vision of True Justice
Black Lives Matter By Aaliyah Givens, Jesse Ramsdell, Donkell Bolton, and Adan Abdi Recorded June 2020 in Sanford, Biddeford and Lewiston, Maine.
Art challenges oppression at its most fundamental level with bold visions for just futures
In March, Maine Inside Out and Maine Youth Justice presented "A New Perspective: World Without Prisons." On Wednesday, April 28 Maine Inside Out presents our next virtual open mic "A Vision of True Justice." As we mourn for everyone who has lost their lives to state violence, George Floyd, Daunte Wright, Ma' Khia Bryant and so many others, we stand in solidarity with organizers in Minneapolis and Columbus and across country working to stop state violence and build freedom and justice in their communities. A world without prisons is possible when we see visions of true justice.
“A vision of true justice can be what one wants it to be.
From apples falling from the trees to kids playing in the streets,
a fresh breath of air in the spring to no more having to hustle in the streets,
no more metal bars or doors or having to hear that CLINK CLINK.
No longer having to worry about the DOC or the state building a case against me for whatever they think they see.
A vision of true justice is simply being me and feeling free to live fiercely.
As a multiracial woman in my feminine identity I feel connects to a True Vision of Justice in ways that for others may not exist. As I now have some freedom.
Free to be me in my femininity is to love, reach, and teach equality, anti-racism and social change for all humanity.
Hearing calls from all corners of all four of our current communities:
Lewiston, Waterville, Biddeford and Portland
Calls demanding a change for all mothers, siblings, children, friends and family. Hear their cries of mourning for loved ones lost in their communities.
As Ghandi says we can “Be the change we want to see.”
As I say “it doesn’t have to be just a dream!”
As Joe says, “we got our backs and it’s just us.”
There’s A Vision of True Justice!”
Thank you to Catalyst Project for sharing these resources and action items. Catalyst Project helps to build powerful multiracial movements that can win collective liberation.
Action items:
Demand support for the BREATHE Act, bold Federal legislation supporting a community-led vision of health and safety for Black communities
Support Black-led organizations in Minneapolis and across Minnesota:
Learn more about abolition:
Read “We Do This ‘Till We Free Us” by Mariame Kaba
Many resources have been assembled to support taking action for abolition:
SURJ’s: “Defund the Police Toolkit” that has basic information about the history of policing and practical resources to support you and your community in learning and action.
Maine Inside Out is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your tax-deductible support goes directly to support art-making, collaborative advocacy and transformative justice work in our communities, to help build a world where everyone matters and belongs.