Candlelight Vigil tonight for young lives stolen by the CYA

Dear friend,

TONIGHT'S THE BIG NIGHT!

That's right — "Stop the Tragedies, Stop the Abuse," Books Not Bars' statewide
candlelight vigil, is happening this evening.

Today is the 100th day since the tragic deaths of Durrell Feaster, 18, and Deon
Whitfield, 17. On January 19, authorities found Durrell and Deon hanged in the cell
they shared in the California Youth Authority's Stockton facility.

"Stop the Tragedies, Stop the Abuse" is our statewide candlelight vigil in honor of
Durrell, Deon and every young person whose life has been stolen or broken by CYA.

WHAT: Statewide Candlelight Vigil for CYA Youth
WHEN: Wednesday April 28, 2004 -- 7pm
WHERE: Nine cities across California. See below for the list of sites.

More about the vigil: http://booksnotbars.org/vigil

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***** HEALING, JUSTICE AND HOPE: BNB's CANDLELIGHT VIGIL *****
*****

"Stop the Tragedies, Stop the Abuse," is the first statewide event in the Books Not
Bars "Alternatives for Youth" Campaign.

People will gather at nine locations up and down the state to honor Durrell's and
Deon's lives. We expect more than 1,000 people to come together for an evening of
healing, justice and hope.

GET INFO ON THE VIGIL LOCATION CLOSEST TO YOU!
http://ellabakercenter.org/page.php?pageid=62

THE NINE VIGIL SITES: Oakland (Frank Ogawa Plaza), Los Angeles Area (Fred C. Nelles
Correctional Facility, in Whittier), Sacramento (Capitol Building, West Steps), San
Jose (San Jose Hall of Justice), Santa Monica (Santa Monica City Hall) Stockton
(Martin Luther King Plaza), Santa Cruz (Clock Tower), Fresno (Fresno City Hall),
Watsonville (Watsonville Main Plaza)

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***** OAKLAND: LEAD SITE FOR STATEWIDE VIGIL *****
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The lead site for this statewide vigil is Oakland -- right in our own backyard.

We expect several hundred people from all walks of life to come out to remember
Durrell and Deon. We are proud and excited to be partnering with our sister
organization Let's Get Free, local sponsor of the Oakland vigil.

More about Let's Get Free: http://ellabakercenter.org/lgf

But if you aren't in the Bay Area, don't worry. Amazing groups have stepped up as
local sponsors in all the vigil locations.

You can step up, too.

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***** TAKE A STAND *****
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Come to the first statewide action in the Books Not Bars "Alternatives for Youth"
Campaign. Now is the time to put an end to this abuse. Now is the time to take a
stand.

Many thanks,

Lenore Anderson & Rima Vesely
Books Not Bars

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For more info, contact Mike Molina:
mike [at] ellabakercenter.org
415.951.4844 x229