We're excited to announce a prison industrial complex (PIC) abolitionist propaganda and zine fair on Saturday August 21, from noon to 7 pm ET at the People’s Forum. As Critical Resistance defines it:
“PIC abolition is a political vision with the goal of eliminating imprisonment, policing, and surveillance and creating lasting alternatives to punishment and imprisonment […] Abolition isn’t just about getting rid of buildings full of cages. It’s also about undoing the society we live in because the PIC both feeds on and maintains oppression and inequalities through punishment, violence, and controls millions of people. Because the PIC is not an isolated system, abolition is a broad strategy. An abolitionist vision means that we must build models today that can represent how we want to live in the future. It means developing practical strategies for taking small steps that move us toward making our dreams real and that lead us all to believe that things really could be different.”
Over the past few months and years, PIC abolition has become more popular as a politic, ideology and organizing strategy. The abolitionist propaganda and zine fair will offer a space where people who have created educational and organizing materials including zines, pamphlets, posters, stickers, buttons and more can share abolitionist ideas and messages and can freely give away, trade and sell some of these items.
VENDORS
We have limited space for people to table throughout the day. We invite those interested in doing so to apply by July 19th at midnight ET. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQ people, disabled people and formerly criminalized/incarcerated people will be prioritized but all are welcome to apply.
Table applicants must be based in the New York metropolitan area, commit to freely give away at least half of the materials that you bring, and be available to table throughout the event. Half tables will be provided at no cost to those selected.
We will also offer programming and other opportunities for PIC abolitionists in New York City to learn from each other, network, and share resources. Stay tuned for more information about programming soon.
We are accepting donations that will be used to provide refreshments throughout the day to attendees and participants.
Barnard's Zine Librarian is a co-organizer of this event.