WEBER

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 4

CHARLOTTETOWN. PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

v/ I 4/

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OCTOBER 21, l97(

7

protest

A demonstration, generated by the recent suicides in the local jail (four deaths in two months), was organized by stu-

dents from UPEI and some concerned citizens of Char-

lottetown.

At 8:00 p. m. Friday, in a pouring rain, approximately 30 people gathered in front of the City Jail to protest the conditions of the City and County Jails.

The demonstrators (who in- creased their number by about

70 as the evening went on) handed out leaflets and march- in front of thejail.

In the leaflet, entitled A DECLARATION TO OUR FE- LLOW CITIZEN S OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, the dem-

onstrators demanded:

1. Immediate closing of City Police cell block.

2. That anyonepicked up un- der the influence of alcohol (and where the offence is a recurring one) that this person be committed to a hospital or alcoholic treatment centre.

3. That immediate changes ta- ke place in Queen’s County Jail to:

(3) Upgrade living condit- ions and sanitary facilities.

(b) Provide recreation and

entertain ment for prisoners. (c) Hire only qualified and

educated personnel. (d) Better health and medical

« facilities.

4 Immediate commitment from City Council and Provincial Govemments that a new penal system and institution be con— structed complete with all nee—

falters

prove the situatibn in the jails."

essary facilities to meet health standards with qualified per- sonnel and to be completed within one year.

5. That the practice of reveal- ing names, thrOUgh the news media, of people charged with petty crimes, and revealing the names of people who are char- ged with any crime, before they are convicted of that charge — be discontinued.

.....lndividuals against the Crime of Silence ............ ..

One of the organizers said, “while there were a few heck- lers, the great majority of peo-

'ple we have reached have stat—

ed support for our demands, and agree that immediate ac-

tion must be taken to im—

He pointed out that police- men have also talked to the demonstrators and have shown support for the aims of the

demonstrators,

The protestors were on the street again Saturday morning. This time a group of approx- imately 20 continued the ac-

tivities of the previous even- ing. They remained until 8:00

Saturday night.

The protest was discontinu- ed after what appeared to be a failure of the local populace to show strong support.

Attempts are presently being made to attract more people

to the cause. lf these attempts

are successful more strations will be

demon- staged.