[Peace] [CIMIC-Announce] Vigil for Reform at Tamms Supermax Prison July 16 6:30pm (fwd)

[Naeem Sheikh]

Greetings subscribers to the CIMIC Special Events Announcement List,

First of all, a warm welcome to all the recent new subscribers to the list 
(most of you signed up at the Farmers' Market booth that CIMIC has there 
on every Saturday).

I hope everybody is enjoying their summer.

Please take note of this informative vigil tomorrow near mosque. CIMIC is 
both a co-sponsor and an active participant in this through Outreach 
Committee. Here is the write-up for this event as written by Conrad Wetzel 
of the First Mennonite Church.

Naeem


Vigil for Reform at Tamms Supermax Prison

CHAMPAIGN-URBANA--Interfaith Prayer Service

DATE: Thursday, July 16 -- 6:30 pm-7:30 pm

WHERE: Yard adjacent to the First Mennonite Church, 902 W Springfield Ave., 
Urbana IL 61801 (or in the church if rain)



Quaker, Muslim, Lutheran, Brethren, Mennonite, and other allies will deliver 
individual prayers for the prisoners, for the families of prisoners, and for 
the correctional officers. Names of current Tamms prisoners will be read aloud, 
and ex-prisoners will speak. Banners will be raised at nearby busy 
intersections before the service.


Across the state, communities of faith will come together:

· to pray for a fair and just solution to the crisis at Tamms supermax prison;

· to pray that all mentally ill prisoners are relieved of their anguish, and 
given treatment and compassion;

· to pray that former and current Tamms prisoners may transform their isolation 
into fellowship and solidarity with others;
· to pray for the safety, peace and well-being of all correctional officers and 
staff, prisoners, and families impacted by violence and incarceration.

Why this is the time to act:

· Gov. Quinn appointed a new director to head the IDOC with the top priority of 
reviewing Tamms, and charting a "new direction" for the department.
· These are the last weeks before Director Michael Randle will make his 
decision about the supermax.

· We recognize the good faith efforts of Gov. Quinn, Director Randle, IDOC, 
AFSCME, and legislators to solve these problems.

· The men at Tamms can't wait. A prisoner died this week at age 34. He was 
mentally ill and spent the last 10 years of his life in isolation.
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