As the prison industrial complex (PIC) has grown and advanced over the past 50 years, California has prioritized the interests of corporations & racial capitalism instead of what everyday working people need. Equitable access to housing, healthcare, employment, and political representation has been gutted in exchange for corporate tax breaks, bank bailouts, and spending on policing and imprisonment. This disinvestment in what our communities need to be safe and investment in the PIC hits hardest on working-class communities of color.

One vehicle for social change are unions, but they have also been systematically attacked during this period via legislation and changes to laws that make it harder for workers to form unions and harder for unions to represent working people. The PIC exists as a counter-revolutionary force against civil rights, Black and Brown power, and organized labor – and thus our struggle to end the PIC is a worker’s struggle. Right now, Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB) are fighting to close 10 prisons by 2025 to permanently shrink the power of CA’s imprisonment system. This will help us get what we really need across the state – labor development, jobs, and other needs that make us and our communities safe.

Join us in Oakland on Sunday, April 30 from 12-3pm at the East Bay Community Space to dive into why prison closure is an urgent priority for Bay Area workers,draw links across history between the labor movement and prison industrial complex abolition, and strategize ways to advance the demands of organized labor & prison closure together.

The East Bay Community Space is located at the corner of Telegraph Avenue and 55th Street in the Upper Temescal District of Oakland. Entrance to main event space is entered from 55th Street and has a street address of 507 55th Street. The venue is a 0.9 mile walk from both MacArthur BART and Rockridge BART stations, and is within walking distance from ACT Transit lines 12, 6, 18.

ACCESSIBILITY

The East Bay Community Space building is fully permitted, accessible, and built to modern codes. There are no steps or stairs to enter the space. There is a wheelchair lift serving the spaces on the second floor and the building is ADA-compliant with 7 all-gender toilets. The venue is a scent-free and chemical-free environment. Light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.

COVID Protocols:

Critical Resistance believes that the number one priority is the health and safety of our participants, community members, and venue hosts. All participants are required to complete this form and to check in at the registration table while entering the event.

*In the days leading up to the event we will be sending RSVP’s a brief COVID questionnaire.*

Critical Resistance COVID Agreements – all participants agree to:

• Complete this form and check in when entering the event.
• Wear a mask at all times, regardless of vaccination status.
• CR will provide extra masks and hand sanitizer.
• Find additional resources at sf.gov/gettested & sf.gov/getvaccinated

*Any provided information will be kept confidential and stored accordingly. You will not receive any spam.