Category: Events

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Events

Film & Fundraiser: Prison in 12 Landscapes

Join us for a free screening of Prison in 12 Landscapes on Wednesday April 18 at 6pm at the Melwood Screening Room – 477 Melwood Ave.

Following the film showing, there will be a Q&A with the film’s director, who will be joined by members of Let’s Get Free and Coalition to Abolish Death by Incarceration.

Immediately after the film showing and across the street, there will be a dance party where the fundraising for Let’s Get Free will continue. Join us for one or both events! Food and drinks will be available for sale at the dance party benefit.

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Save the Date! Criminal Justice Candidate Forum, May 7

We are very excited to be participating in a criminal justice system focused Candidate Forum in advance of the PA state legislature primary on May 15. Please join us, especially if you live in one of the four districts that will be represented, to ensure that the critical issues facing our communities are acknowledged and addressed by our legislative representatives-to-be!

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Categories
Art & Storytelling Events

Call for Artists – Letters and Liberation

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We are seeking collaborators for Let’s Get Free’s next fundraiser. Letters and Liberation will show in July 2018 at Boom Concepts in Pittsburgh. We are seeking artists of any ilk to throw down for our cause. Last year’s Contraband fundraiser was SO SUCCESSFUL! We sold over 100 pieces of art!!

Last year we raised $5,000. With that money we have:
  • launched a new program called Operation Break Bread. This program connects people  in Pittsburgh with women and trans prisoners incarcerated at Cambridge Springs Prison. Cambridge Springs is 2 hours north of Pittsburgh. Since our first visit last June we linked 24 Pittsburghers with different people serving time. We try to go up at least once a month. You can read some of the visiting chronicles on our instagram page. Scroll down to see the visit pics most have a reddish background. The gas for these trips came from the Contraband Art Show! Thank you art buyers and auction participants!!
  • been able to attend the Coalition to Abolish Death by Incarceration’s statewide rallies, meetings with lawmakers,  the juvenile lifer day at Muncy prison, hearings for ghani and saleem – two of our friends – ghani is home and saleem will be home SOON!! AND some us are heading to the statewide strategy meeting on Feb.3 in Philadelphia. That is a lot of gas, van rentals and tolls!! Thank you artists, especially Todd “Hyung-Rae” Tarselli and Justseeds!!
  • let’s get free was a primary contributor to CADBI West’s recent panel at the Summit Against Racism. 4 of the participants,  Paulette Carrington, Yusef Jones, Troy David and Sharif Boyd all received substantial speakers’ fees and meals throughout the weekend. All because of our last fundraiser! Thanks Boom Concepts for being such a gracious host!! You can see a video of the panel HERE

You can see we use your energy, creative expressions and financial gifts wisely. We have tried in the past for grants and never been successful. We don’t need a lot. Just a little to really boost our work. So the ask:

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Racoon painting on actual leaf by Todd “Hung-Rae” TarsellCall for Artwork
Deadline for Submissions: April 1, 2018
 
Mail artwork to: Letters and Liberation c/o Lets Get Free, 460 Melwood Ave. #300 Pittsburgh, PA 15213- Please include title of piece and how you want to be recognized.
Format: Any medium welcome. Painting, Sculpture, Knitting, Cross stitch, paper mache, drawing, poem, collage, origami, your medium of choice.  Be encouraged to  re- purpose letters that were sent to or from prison. Use an old letter as the base for a painting or drawing. Use letters to make paper mache. Use letters to make a paper cut or stencil. OR DON’T. Make what you make. It can be inspired by the theme or not. Also we would love any old artwork donations even if it doesn’t fit the theme.
Theme or Concept:  If you need some inspiration consider this: Can your artwork answer the sentence? Liberation is….
Do you want to collaborate with us? We are up for it!
We have sent the call to over 100 people in PA prisons. If you know any incarcerated artists send their name DOC # and address and we will send them the details.  If you are not incarcerated and would like some letters to work with contact etta – 443-603-6964
Artists who want letters:  i am going out of town from March 5th to May 18. If you want letters before then please connect with me in February. I have thought about confidentiality of the letter writers. We can talk about that if you are interested in participating.
Thank you so much!!

Lets Get Free (if you are interested in volunteering we always need help)
letsgetfreepa@gmail.com
etta (443-603-6964)
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Categories
Events Take Action

Nov. 29 – We Stand with Fight for $15

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Please join members of Let’s Get Free on this National Day of action for Economic Justice and Living Wages for all. Meet up with us at 4pm at the Federal Building in Downtown Pittsburgh on Tuesday November 29th.

Find out more about the National Action Here

Pittsburgh Facebook Event Here

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Fight for 15 plans ‘most disruptive’ wage protest and strike after Thanksgiving

Thousands of low-wage airport and fast-food workers across US plan to protest on fourth anniversary of first major action in light of Trump’s election victory…More from the Guardian Here

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Categories
Art & Storytelling Events

Life Sentence, Victims, Offenders and My Mother – This Saturday – 5pm

a-life-sentence-poster-1Saturday October 29, from 5pm – 7pm at the Dance Alloy Studios in East Liberty – 5300 Penn Avenue  $ 5 – 25 Sliding Scale. Pay what you can. We want you here.

The event will involve listening to the piece together followed by a community discussion. The discussion afterwards would be led by producer Samantha Broun and former lifer, Tyrone Werts. We will be joined by Representative Ed Gainey, Co-Sponsor of HB 2135, the new bill that would expand parole eligibility for lifers. Darlene Williams and Donna Hill will be present as well, both of them mothers of a daughter serving life without parole.

In 1994, Jeremy Broun was 55 years old and living alone in Nyack, New York.  On the evening of September 21st a stranger came into her backyard. The stranger attacked her from behind. Five hours later, he left her lying on her bed. Hands and feet bound with tape. Alive. She survived.  

As told by Jeremy’s daughter, Samantha Broun, “A Life Sentence” is the story of this terrible crime and everything that followed. It looks at the acute and long-lasting impact the crime had on Jeremy and her family, as well as the societal and political impact, felt most acutely in Pennsylvania where the offender was from. It changed the outcome of a Governor’s race and altered the state constitution.

Twenty years later, Samantha teamed up with Jay Allison, Peabody Award Winner and public radio producer, to make this documentary, which was two and half years in production.

Email – letsgetfreepa@gmail.com or call 443-603-6964

Categories
Events

200 Sing to Abolish Death by Incarceration

Local Harrisburg 21 News Coverage

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On October 18th, over 200 people traveled to the State Capitol to demand an end to Death By Incarceration and support House Bill 2135, which would make people serving life sentences parole-eligible after 15 years. Thank you so much to all who participated in this powerful action! #AbolishDBI

Photo Credit: Joe Piette, Emily McGrew, Patricia Vickers


Coalition To Abolish Death by Incarceration
https://www.facebook.com/CADBIphilly 

Let’s Get Free is a local affiliate with the Coalition! Link with us!  Get involved. We need you!
http://letsgetfree.info
letsgetfreepa@gmail.com
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Categories
Events

October 18th – Harrisburg – Rally and Lobby Day – Come With…

oct18There are over 5000 people serving Life Without Parole sentences in Pennsylvania. In PA, ‘life’ means your entire life, which is why many instead call it Death By Incarceration (DBI). This harsh sentencing does not improve public safety and disproportionately impacts poor people and people of color.

We believe that denying people the right to transformation and redemption is an affront to everyone’s humanity. Join the Coalition to Abolish Death By Incarceration (CADBI) and our allies from across the state as we converge at the state capitol to ask our legislators to end Death By Incarceration in Pennsylvania.

There is now a bill in the PA House that would make people serving DBI eligible for parole after 15 years. The bill is HB2135 and was introduced by Rep. Dawkins. But we need mass public pressure in order to move the bill forward.

Make your voice heard!

Want to come? Need a ride? Have a ride to give?  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FROM PITTSBURGH. or fill out form below

Coming From Philly? CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FROM PHILLY

If coming from Pittsburgh Area Fill our from below!

 

Categories
Events Take Action

Commutation Reform Now! Join us in Harrisburg on June23

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The Campaign to Restore Meaningful Commutation is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based group that is pursuing criminal justice reforms for people serving life sentences. It brings attention to a number of problems with the commutation process that should be addressed by the current legislature. The time is right to be pushing this reform with PA Governor Wolfe in office who has signed two commutations since he has been elected just a year and a half ago. LT. Governor Mike Stack spoke in Pittsburgh recently  saying things like “We are supposed to live in the land of 2nd chances”.  While the idea of a second chances seems like common sense for many who are fighting mass incarceration, it feels radical coming from the chairman of the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons speaking specifically about people convicted of violent charges.

In the 1970s approximately 35 people a year were given a second chance through commutation. That’s 380 commuted lifers from 1967-1990, but for the last 25 years, only 7 men and no women or trans people serving life have been released.  The dramatic decrease in the use of commutation as a result of the “tough on crime” political climate has contributed to mass incarceration and has left many innocent and reformed people serving excessive sentences with no mercy.

Working in coalition with a number of groups across Pennsylvania made up of concerned citizens, current and formerly incarcerated people, and interfaith human rights advocates, the Campaign has drafted a 12- point platform to restore Pennsylvania’s commutation process. It has prioritized three changes that it thinks could have a watershed effect on the meaningful restoration of this process.

The Campaign is asking officials to consider all aspects of the 12-point platform and draft legislation including these changes:

– Return the Board of Pardons vote requirement for a recommendation of commutation for a lifer to 3 out of 5 votes, rather than the unanimous vote requirement.

   – Amend the commutation regulations of the Board of Pardons to grant an automatic approval for a public hearing after an applying lifer has served 15 years.

   – Require that the Board of Pardons provide a written reason for denial of a commutation application for people serving life sentences.

And if you’re in Pennsylvania or close by, please consider joining us on June 23rd, as we rally and meet with several state offices willing to collaborate with us. Plan for an all-day adventure of speaking truth to power and building allies at our state capital.

Sign up to attend the Harrisburg Lobby Day here.

Face Book Event

Download Flyer Here

Contact letsgetfreepa@gmail.com for more information.

Categories
Events Take Action

Come to Harrisburg! Endorse the Campaign! Chip in for the Cause

Over the last 2 months we have corresponded with over 250 lawmakers, called over 100 offices, spoke to the Pa Legislative Black Caucus and several state offices who are willing to collaborate with us.

It’s time to take our 12 point platform for commutation reform to Harrisburg! You coming? Say yes! Say yes!

Sign up here!

Thursday June 23 – Save the Date! We are still working out the details but plan for an all day adventure of speaking truth to power and building allies at our state capital.

Please take a moment to endorse our campaign

We must show our lawmakers that we have wide spread support for these ideas. Will your group either local or national officially sign on as an endorser?

Sign up your group up as an official endorser here.

Endorsing simply means that you or your organization believe commutation is a viable option for people who are no longer a threat to public safety & support the ideas listed in the 12 point platform and will sign your name to it.

Donate to our Harrisburg Trip

One more way you can support our campaign is to chip in to our Go Fund Me! We are trying to raise $1,000 to pay for Vans, Tolls, and Gas. Please consider giving – $5-50

 

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Thank you so much for supporting and believing in us!

Categories
Events

3 Upcoming Events!

Let’s Get Free member, Amanda Johnson is hosting an informal film screening of a series of Ted talk videos featuring women who are incarcerated at a women’s prison in PA.
Event Details
Women Serving Life film screening
January 17th
4-6PM
@ the Big Idea Bookstore
4812 Liberty Ave Bloomfield
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More information about the Martin Luther King March at WeChangePittsburgh.com
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Chin to the Sky: The Life Sentence of Avis Lee will  be performed at the 17th Summit Against Racism Saturday January 24th at 9:30 am. Register with Let‘s Get Free and get a $10 group rate! Join us for performance and discussion about Life Without Parole!
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Categories
Art & Storytelling Events

Chin to the Sky : The Life Sentence of Avis Lee Debuts in Philly

avisshowposterphillyNovember 7th 2014   7pm – 8:30pm

Vineyard Community Church at 123 S. 51st St.

Short Play followed by community discussion afterword.

Chin to the Sky is a multi-media creative story telling of the circumstances surrounding the Life Sentence of Avis Lee. When Avis was 18 she was the look out in a robbery that ended in death. Avis is now 54 years old and has spent 34 years in prison. She has no chance of getting out unless her sentence is commuted. She never pulled the trigger. We believe she deserves a second chance. For more information about Chin to the Sky —go here!

Download the Philly Show Flyer Here

Flyer designed by Suzanne South

The reason we are debuting in Philly is because many of us are attending Decarcerate PA’s gathering on November 8th.

Stay tuned for Pittsburgh shows soon.