Prominent professors, educators and activists appear on stage and in person at Toronto Reference Library’s Appel Salon space to discuss the central role Black, Indigenous, Migrant, 2-spirit, Trans and women-identifying individuals play in abolitionist and anti-racism work in Canada.

The newly released, edited collection of essays Disarm, Defund, Dismantle: Police Abolition in Canada gathers writing from a range of activists and scholars, whose words are rooted in experience and solidarity with those putting their lives on the line to fight for police abolition in Canada. Together, they imagine a different world—one in which police power is eroded and dissolved forever, one in which it is possible to respond to distress and harm with assistance and care.

In this special panel conversation, TPL welcomes one of the editors and a few contributors from the book to examine the harmful rhetoric and dangerous mentality that puts vulnerable women and gender diverse people in the crosshairs of the penal and carceral system.

Q&A and book signing to follow. Books available for purchase.

Note: This is an in-person event at the Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street). This event will not be live streamed but the replay will be made available to watch on TPL’s YouTube channel.

Check here for the latest COVID-19 health and safety policies at Toronto Public Library. This information is subject to change. Please check back for the most up-to-date information before attending the event.

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Read More:

About Dr. Vicki Chartrand (Author of Chapter 10: Grassroots Justices: Lessons from Communities of Murdered and Disappeared Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit+ People)

About Ellie Ade Kur (Co-author of Chapter 12: Sex Worker Justice—By Us, For Us: Toronto Sex Workers Resisting Carceral Violence)

About Elene Lam (Co-author of Chapter 14: Rights Not Rescue: Defending Migrant Sex Workers from Policing)

About Shiri Pasternak (Co-editor of Disarm, Defund, Dismantle)

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This event is part of our On Civil Society series.

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Accessibility at Toronto Public Library

We are committed to making our content accessible to as many Torontonians as possible. Please call or email us if you are Deaf or have a disability and would like to request accommodation to participate in this program. Please let us know as far in advance as possible and we will do our best to meet your request. At least three weeks’ notice is preferred. Phone 416-393-7099 or email accessibleservices@tpl.ca