Community members rally behind prison farm arrestees as they argue their case before court

Posted Jan 26, 2012 By Hollie Pratt-Campbell

---

EMC News - Eighteen months after being charged with mischief for blockading the removal of the dairy herd from Frontenac Institution on Aug. 8 and 9, 2010, 10 prison farm protest arrestees had their days in court Jan. 16 and 17.

Charges were dropped against two arrestees at the beginning of the proceedings without explanation. Representing themselves in front of Justice Rommel Masse, the remaining defendants argued that they participated in the blockade because they perceived immediate and applicable danger at the prospect of the closure of the farms related to the mentality of prisoners and the safety of the community, they also argued their actions did not constitute mischief, and do not merit the full application of the law.

"I am very impressed and proud of the arrestees and all the work they did to prepare to defend themselves in the trial," said NFU Local 316 president and one of the main organizers of the prison farm movement Dianne Dowling following the trial. "Their commitment to the prison farm campaign is clear in the hours and hours of time that they put into learning how to present and defend their case."

Judge Masse will consider the case and deliver his verdict March 5.

Regardless of the outcome, however, an after court social held the evening of Jan. 16 at Memorial Hall further revealed that there is still considerable backing in the local community for both the prison farm cause and the arrestees themselves. About 100 community members gathered to show their support, and listen to guest speakers Bob Lovelace, a Queen's professor, Sister Pauline Lally, General Superior of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul and long-time supporter of the prison farm campaign, and Terry Hudson, the oldest protester to be arrested.

"You've already won in the game of fighting for human rights and justice," Lovelace said to the arrestees during his speech. "You've won the most important prize of all: you kept your dignity."

Lovelace, who spent six months in prison in 2008 for peacefully blockading a proposed uranium mine site on lands belonging to the Algonquin First Nation, said that he understands first-hand both why it is important to fight so passionately for a cause, and the lack of common dignity allowed to those who are incarcerated.

"Peace is a process, democracy is a process," he said. "They're not things we can arrive at, they're not things we can possess, they're not objects. They're a process. They require our constant vigilance and activity as participants in peace and justice."

Sister Lally noted what a remarkable thing it is for the arrestees to put so much of their own lives on the line for the betterment of convicted criminals:

"What is it that would motivate you to put your lives on the line? To maybe put your careers on hold? Your reputation is at stake - for these people, and for such a cause. Is it crazy? I don't think so."

Addressing the crowd at the after court social, Dowling thanked the community for its support.

"We've learned what a great community we have in the Kingston area of people that care about issues," she said. "It's been very gratifying. People have congratulated us for keeping up the fight, but if we had held a meeting and nobody came we would have given up long ago."

Dowling later said that the trial allowed another opportunity for people who believe in the value of the prison farm program to express their position and to demonstrate their commitment to the issue.

She pointed out that a group of very dedicated people have kept a vigil at the Frontenac Institution every Monday since the removal of the herd in August, 2010, with the intention of continuing to remind the public of the loss of the prison farm program.

"The vigil-keepers are always encouraged by the number of people who honk their horns in support," said Dowling. "All are welcome to join."

Indeed, Dowling added that there is still a long way to go:

"Campaign organizers remain very concerned about the lack of good rehabilitation and training for inmates, and about the Conservative government's omnibus crime bill that will put more people in jail for longer periods of time."

The future of farmland itself, said Dowling, is also of concern.

"We are convinced that the farmland must remain in public hands, preserved as farmland. We want it to be Kingston's food-growing land for the future."

hpratt-campbell@theemc.ca




blog comments powered by Disqus