Join us on Saturday October 25th for a cross-movement discussion to learn from each other in our shared struggles to dismantle systems of violence – from police and prisons, to colonization, militaries, and borders – while cultivating communities rooted in justice, care, and collective well-being.
Note that this will be both an in-person event in Toronto as well as broadcast online as part of World BEYOND War’s global abolitionist conference. Register below to attend in person. Register to join online by signing up for the conference. If purchasing an online ticket is a barrier to you attending, send an email to greta@worldbeyondwar.org for a complimentary ticket.
Desmond Cole is a journalist, activist and author based in Toronto. His work focuses on struggles against state violence, particularly local policing. Desmond was a columnist at the Toronto Star from late 2015 to early 2017, where he wrote about politics, class, policing, and anti-Black racism. He has produced works for live news radio, podcasts, magazines, newspapers, and a documentary film. Desmond’s 2020 best-selling book, The Skin We're In, A Year of Black Resistance and Power, received national acclaim and won the 2020 Toronto Book Award, which honours books of literary merit that are inspired by the city.
Robyn Maynard is an author and scholar based in Toronto, where she holds the position of Assistant Professor of Black Feminisms in Canada at the University of Toronto-Scarborough in the Department of Historical and Cultural Studies. Her writing on borders, policing, abolition and Black feminism is taught widely in universities across Canada, the United States and Europe. Maynard is the author of two best-selling and award-winning books: Policing Black Lives: State violence in Canada from slavery to the present (Fernwood 2017) and Rehearsals for Living (Knopt/Haymarket, 2022) co-authored with Leanne Betasamosake Simpson.
Maynard contributed to the research and writing for the Defund the Police website and recently authored two toolkits: “Building the World We Want: A Roadmap to police-free futures in Canada” and “What is Prison Abolition in Canada?” With Pascale Diverlus, she co-hosted Building the World We Want, an abolitionist learning lab.
Syed Hussan is the executive director of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change; a member of Migrant Rights Network; long term organizer in support of Grassy Narrows First Nations; and part of Palestine Solidarity Network.
Brianna Olson Pitawanakwat is an Anishinaabekwe, Indigiqueer and member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded First Nation. As an Indigenous Birthworker, jingle dress dancer, artisan and radical educator, she is committed to principles of Indigenous Liberation and self determination. Her journey as a Birthworker began on the prairies where she practiced Harm Reduction and perinatal outreach for over a decade. She holds an undergrad degree from University of Victoria social work program and has a masters in social work from university of Toronto with a trauma specialization. She currently co leads Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction and Native Arts Society, both 2spirit/Queer/Trans led initiatives.
Rachel Small is the Canada Organizer for World BEYOND War. She is a founding member of the Jews Say No to Genocide Coalition, and coordinates the Arms Embargo Now campaign. She has done grassroots organizing within local and international social/environmental justice movements for nearly two decades, with a special focus on working in solidarity with communities harmed by Canadian extractive industry projects.
Make sure to click the red button above that says REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON to reserve your spot.
Donations to cover event costs can be made via this form or by sending an etransfer to toronto.worldbeyondwar@gmail.com — thank you!