We reflect on Black August

This August is like no other for the LSPC and AOUON community. All around us are sources of inspiration for how and why we continue this liberatory movement. This is part one of the August newsletter.

Welcome Home Ruchell Magee!

"Slavery 400 years ago, slavery today, it's the same but with a new name" -Ruchell 'Cinqé' Magee

Just this July, the country's longest-held political prisoner Ruchell 'Cinqé' Magee was released from the California Medical Facility in Vacaville. Held captive for 67 years, Ruchell was one of the only survivors of the Marin Courthouse Rebellion. When behind bars, Ruchell was an advocate for those inside as a jailhouse lawyer. His words still ring true today and he was one of the first to connect slavery to modern-day incarceration. Welcome home!

Photo: Ruchell Magee in center with Hamdiya Cooks-Abdullah (L) and Vonya Quarel (R) on August 2nd.

Learn More / Make a Donation

Black August - Study, Fast, Train, Fight!

52 years ago this month, San Quentin correctional officers murdered George Jackson; just the year before his brother was murdered by the police when he stormed the Marin County Courthouse to demand the release of his brother and the Soledad Brothers. While their lives ended too short, their revolutionary love and struggle continue, inspiring countless movements and protests against the carceral state and institutional racism.

LSPC and AOUON are honoring the legacies and traditions of Black August that cultivate our organizing every day; we joined the Huey P. Newton Center's George Jackson Day on August 5th, for a panel on George Jackson and his legacy. Commemorate Black August with us this weekend! On August 19th, Dorsey will be speaking at a Kehinde Wiley Conversation on Resistance to State Violence, as well as two public forums on August 19th and 20th in San Francisco and Oakland on forced labor exploitation.

Left: Cat Brooks, Cephus Johnson, Dorsey Nunn, Minister King X, and Jack Heyman posed together with their fists up during George Jackson Day on August 5th. Photo by Mitra Zarinebaf.

Right: Angela Davis whispering to Dorsey Nunn during George Jackson Day on August 5th. Photo by Laurie Earp.

From San Diego to Washington D.C.

The AOUON San Diego Chapter had an impactful visit to Washington D.C! Sponsored by the San Diego Regional Task Force for the Homeless, they had the opportunity to attend a housing conference from July 17th to the 18th and lobby elected officials the next day. AOUON SD Lead Curtis and another comrade lobbied about involuntary servitude and Fair Chance Housing.

Photo by Curtis Howard

Expanding the Movement in Georgia

The movement continues in removing involuntary servitude from state constitutions. On July 29th, Policy Analyst Jeronimo Aguilar and National Organizer Oscar Flores met with the Atlanta AOUON chapter for training on the steps for an effective campaign in removing the language.

On The Front Page of the SF Examiner- Uplifting ACA 8

By Natalia Gurevich

We are honored and proud to have the San Francisco Examiner publish a front-page story highlighting our staff and our continued push for abolishing involuntary servitude. Policy Fellows Lawrence Cox and Alissa Moore, Deputy Director Paul Briley, and Policy Analyst Jeronimo Aguilar were interviewed detailing either their first-hand relationships to the amendment's effects, or their progress organizing. We hope it shines a light that involuntary servitude is slavery.

Photos by Craig Lee

Read the Story Here

Welcome Noe!

We are glad to welcome back Noe Gudino to LSPC as the Program Coordinator! Noe was an Elder Freeman Policy Fellow in 2018 and will now be rejoining us as a mentor for our Policy Fellows and interns. Noe has received his Masters of Arts in Public Administration from San Francisco State University and Bachelor of Arts from Cal State University-East Bay, where he majored in Political Science. You can reach him at noe@prisonerswithchildren.org.

Job Opportunity! Development Director

Legal Services for Prisoners with Children (LSPC) is a legal services support center that advocates for the civil and human rights of incarcerated parents, family members, former prisoners, and communities most affected by incarceration. We are seeking an experienced development director who brings an understanding for our work and a passion for social justice to our team of 27 staff members. Click here for the full job description and requirements.

Community Outreach

Want to get involved in AOUON organizing and advocating for our community?

Contact AOUON Outreach Coordinator John Cannon: john@prisonerswithchildren.org
415.625.7045

AOUON Inside

Have a family member inside?
Let them know they can contact us for any self-help legal information, sign up to receive the All of Us or None monthly newspaper, or become an AOUON Inside Member by contacting In-Custody Program Coordinator Jesse Burleson at jesse@prisonerswithchildren.org

Or write to:
AOUON Inside Membership
4400 Market Street
Oakland, CA 94608

AOUON National Newspaper!

The AOUON Newspaper is a print publication sent to our members who are currently incarcerated. Digital versions of all the issues are available on our website here!

The AOUON Newspaper, which comes out monthly, is a platform to amplify the voices and stories of our members.

If you’re interested in sharing a personal story—be it of triumph or hardship—please get in touch with the newspaper editor TaSin Sabir at tasin@prisonerswithchildren.org.

AOUON National Chapters

Want to get involved in other communities across the country? Contact one of the many AOUON chapters:

Don’t see an AOUON chapter near you? Contact AOUON National Organizer Oscar Flores to start one: oscar@prisonerswithchildren.org
415.625.7048

AOUON National Chapters

LSPC 45th Anniversary Gala

Legal Services for Prisoners with Children invites you to our 45th Anniversary and All of Us None's 20th Anniversary Celebration.

Continuing the Legacy: Embracing Change and Building for the Future. Paying tribute to: Dorsey Nunn & Hamdiya Cooks-Abdullah

Thursday, October 12, 2023
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

BLOC15
252 2nd Street
Oakland CA, 94607

Tickets on Sale Now!

8/31: Incomplete Abolition

Our Staff Attorney Eric Sapp will be leading a panel on the legal history of the Thirteenth Amendment, abolition of slavery, and involuntary servitude. There will be an introduction from our Deputy Director Paul Briley, and will feature three eminent law professors. RSVP below!

Time: 2pm

Location: On Zoom

To RSVP Email: eric@prisonerswithchildren.org

Click here for zoom link

8/30: AOUON Lobby Day!

Join us at the California Capitol on August 30th to lobby for our sponsored AOUON bills. All bills center either basic needs, Fair Chance Housing, and justice and rights for incarcerated people and their families.

Time: 9am - 4pm

Location: 1071 O St, Sacramento CA, 95814

Transportation will be provided from Oakland!

To RSVP Email: tatiana@prisonerswithchildren.org

AOUON General Meeting - 3rd Thursdays

(Online & In-Person)

When:
3rd Thursday of every month
6:30 P.M.

Where:
Online on Zoom: bit.ly/AOUONGeneralMeeting
In-Person: The Freedom & Movement Center
4400 Market St., Oakland, CA 94608

All people and family members directly impacted by the criminal justice system are invited to join All of Us or None at our monthly meeting the 3rd Thursday of each month online or in Oakland, CA. We discuss local and state legislation, plan community events, and strategize how to advocate for our community in our own voices.

For more information contact John Cannon: john@prisonerswithchildren.org / 415.625.7045

Free Live Scan Service on August 26th

All of Us or None Sacramento will be collaborating with The Neighbor Program, The United Core Alliance, and other organizations for a free live scan service on Saturday August 26th. Attendees will also receive information on their civil rights, record expungement options and the process, and how current law changes may affect them and their loved ones. There will also be free legal services and resources!

Time: 11am - 2pm
Location: 4799 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento CA, 95820

RSVP HERE