Ottawa, ON – October 11, 2023
On November 3, opponents of the Ford government’s controversial plan to build a prison in Kemptville, Ontario are joining forces with Mohawk community leader and singer-songwriter Logan Staats to host a benefit concert in Ottawa at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre (CDCC). Presented by the Coalition Against the Proposed Prison (CAPP), with co-presentation support from Debaser, the concert will raise funds to support the legal challenge waged by local residents against the Ford government’s plan to build the 235-bed prison in Kemptville, which will expand the number of prison cells on Algonquin Anishinaabe Territory, further investing provincial funds into a costly and ineffective approach to enhancing community well-being and safety.
Award-winning songwriter, performer, and community activist Logan Staats will perform, supported by local country artist Trevor Alguire and hosted by former CBC Ottawa news anchor Adrian Harewoood, in the CDCC’s 850-seat historic Sanctuary venue. For Staats, a multi-award-winning performer, winner of CTV’s The Launch, and a frontline Search the Landfills advocate, music is a healing salve. “We don’t need another prison on stolen Indigenous land. We need land back.” says Staats. “That’s why I’m joining forces with CAPP to stop Ford’s Kemptville prison”.
Debaser is proud to support the CAPP’s efforts to Stop Ford’s Kemptville Prison as a co-presenter of the Logan Staats concert fundraiser, and join them in condemning the Ford government’s plan to build more human cages as part of an economic development strategy.
Tickets are available at noprison.eventbrite.com for $50 + fees for regular admission and $25 all-inclusive for students, low-income and unwaged persons. Special rates are also available for large groups.
On November 3, CAPP and Debaser invite the public come out to the event and join forces with them to STOP FORD’S KEMPTVILLE PRISON, save farmland, and build communities, not cages.
Event details:
The Logan Staats Concert Fundraiser takes place on Friday, Nov 03, 2023.
Doors open at 6:30 pm and the concert starts at 7:30 pm.
The concert entrance for the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre is at 290 Lisgar Street, Ottawa, ON.
Cash bar, along with artist and campaign merchandise, available.
Buy tickets at noprison.eventbrite.com
ABOUT THE LEGAL CHALLENGE:
Seeking a Prohibition Order that will stop the construction of the proposed prison, Kemptville residents Victor Lachance and Kirk Albert started their David vs. Goliath-style legal action against the Ford government on August 15, 2022. The Notice of Application for a Judicial Review that they filed argues that the Ford government violated its own planning rules by ramming the Kemptville prison project through without consultation with the community or municipal council.
A key supporter and player in pushing Ford’s Kemptville prison plan through was area MPP and former Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark, who has since been forced to resign for his violations of the Members’ Integrity Act in relation to a similar process of removal of Greenbelt lands for development.
Find out more about CAPP’s fight to stop Ford’s Kemptville prison at
https://www.coalitionagainstproposedprison.ca/.
CAPP acknowledges the support of the Criminalization and Punishment Education Project.
FOR INTERVIEWS WITH THE ARTISTS AND CAPP MEMBERS
Colleen Lynas
CAPP | Coalition Against the Proposed Prison
cappkemptville@gmail.com