April 27th Conversation To #EndPrisonGerrymanderingPa at The Overbrook Beacon Community Center

#EndPrisonGerrymanderingPa a campaign coming together April 27^th, by civically engaged grassroots organizations will inform our neighbors about the effects prison gerrymandering will have on our 2020 Census resource allocations. Pa. Voter Court Watch, West Philly Voting Bloc and Toni Cade Bambara Film and Culture Club have come together to host the conversation at the Overbrook Beacon Community Center, 5621 Lancaster Ave. from 11am to 2pm. We are requesting a $5 donation for gratitudity in using the facility and refreshments. 

Tuesday, February 5^th 2019 during the Eastern State Penitentiary Searchlight series Brianna Remster PhD. Sociology/Criminology shared her research on prison gerrymandering. I learned that the practice of prison gerrymandering is unconstitutional. I try to meet the presenters before entering the prison museum. I introduce myself and ask to take a selfie with them and exchange contact information. I plan to attend every #Searchlight series to learn about prison reforms taking place, but that doesn’t always happen. Thankfully they facebook live the series so we are able to see the conversation in their archive.

I reached out to Brianna to speak as a panelist with me for the Socialist Feminist Convergence taking place in Philadelphia the weekend of April 26^th thru the 28^th. She agreed and set the time aside for me. The Socialist Feminist Convergence had read another presentation addressing mass incarceration that included me as part of the panel. When they contacted me with their decision I had to decline because there is an urgency to address prison gerrymandering in time for the April 1, 2020 Census count and I’m the advocate sharing the information of the professional researcher. I didn’t feel comfortable because I may not deliver the information the way Brianna can base on her research. So I reached out to several organizations and individuals to help me host this conversation based on the reservation of time and the urgency to move our legislators to #EndPrisonGerrymanderingPa

During our last West Philly Voting Bloc community and members meeting I had mentioned the ills of prison gerrymandering to our attendees and informed them that Atiba Kiwesi co founder of West Philly Voting Bloc agreed to host the conversation with Pa. Voter Court Watch. Our members agreed that the topic of prison gerrymandering is important and looks forward to attending our April 27^th conversation with Brianna Remster, gerrymandering focused organizations, Common Cause Pennsylvania and Fair District Pa. and our West Philly elected officials, being the conversation is in West Philly.

There is so much going on in Philadelphia on April 27^th that we were able to get endorsement from the following grassroots organizations: Melaniated Educators Collective, Socialist Feminist Convergence and The Human Rights Coalition Philly who will share our information with their networks but are also hosting events at the same time. If you have time April 27^th, 11am to 2pm please join us!! If you have a smart phone, please consider live streaming the conversation to your friends on facebook, twitter and instagram. We are asking everyone to contact their legislators and will have messages addressing end to prison gerrymandering to post to State General Attorney .@JoshShapiroPa 

Here is the eventbrite invite with a link for you to register and join the conversation and people actions!!

Please join Pa. Voter Court Watch, West Philly Voting Block, and Toni Cade Bambara Film And Culture Club

for a conversation with

Brianna Remster PhD. Criminology/Sociologist Villanova,

Micah Simms Common Cause Pennsylvania,

Sara Stroman Fair District Pa,

Sen. Anthony Williams,

State Rep. Movita Harrell Johnson and

City Councilman Curtis Jones

Sara Stroman from Fair District Pa. research on Prison Gerrymandering

We will learn about prison gerrymandering, the ways prison gerrymandering affects our vote, our federal resources and how we can help end prison gerrymandering in Pennsylvania.

This Conversation is Endorsed by grassroots organizations:

Melinated Educators Collective, Socialist Feminist Convergence and Human Rights Coalition Philly

$5 donation is requested for use of facility and refreshments.

Childcare will be provided.

FAQs

Attendees will be asked to take action and use their social media handles to connect with their legislators and State Attorney General Josh Shapiro about their concerns to #EndPrisonGerrymanderingPa

.@JoshShapiroPA

https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/

Organizers and Presenters Websites

www.pavotercourtwatch.com

https://briannaremster.wordpress.com/

www.fairdistrictpa.com

www.commoncause.org/pennsylvania

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

Septa bus G, parking is limited

What can I bring into the event?

A friend or two, $5 to support use of facility and food, your smart phone to livestream the conversation and post to your elected officials, #EndPrisonGerrymandering Buttons and T-Shirts will be available for donations

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

aliciadorsey2@gmail.com

What's the refund policy?

if the event is cancelled due to weather or some other reason all funds will be returned. if the event is reschudled no funds will be returned and tickets for new date will be issued. all sales are final.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

no, we will have your name on guest list

Is my registration fee or ticket transferrable?

yes

Is it ok if the name on my ticket or registration doesn't match the person who attends?

yes

You can register here.