NEWS: Mad Pride 2005 in Four Nations- Spread the Word!

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Fri, 1 Jul 2005 08:37:55 -0700

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NEWS: Mad Pride 2005 in Four Nations- Spread the Word!

 

 

1 July 2005 - MindFreedom News

http://www.MindFreedom - please forward

 

JULY IS MAD PRIDE MONTH!

 

Psychiatric Survivors Celebrate

Mad Pride 2005 in Four Nations.

 

by Krista Erickson and David Oaks

MindFreedom International

 

A parade, vigil, theater, fasting, food,

music, art and more create Mad Pride 2005.

 

Mad Pride 2005 is in at least four nations

this year! You are invited to join in

where ever you are! Below you will find

schedules for events in Canada, England,

France and the USA. At the bottom find

more info about Mad Pride, MindFreedom,

and how you are invited to participate.

 

WHAT IS " MAD PRIDE " ?

 

Mad Pride celebrates the creativity,

strength and resilience of the human

spirit and is open to ALL. Mad Pride

provides an opportunity to educate the

public, empower psychiatric survivors and

consumers of mental health system, and

raise consciousness through various

activities such as art, theatre, music,

poetry, protests, vigils and more.

 

Mad Pride counteracts discrimination and

prejudice towards people who have

experienced mental distress or have been

labeled by the mental health system.

 

Mad Pride also promotes economic, social,

environmental and cultural integration of

users/survivors into mainstream society.

 

Mad Pride is about celebrating " Mad

Culture. " Observances of Mad Pride are

often used to call attention to past and

ongoing human rights violations in the

mental health system.

 

YOUR MAD PRIDE 2005 UPDATED SCHEDULE!

 

Below is the latest news we have of Mad

Pride celebrations/events taking place in

four countries this month, July 2005. If

you have an event to add, please contact

the MindFreedom office at

office.

 

For more information, photos of past Mad

Pride events and how to get your official

flying-brain Mad Pride t-shirt go to:

 

http://www.mindfreedom.org/mindfreedom/madpride/

 

AN EASY WAY to celebrate Mad Pride is

simply to forward this news far and wide!!

 

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JULY 2005 MAD PRIDE

CELEBRATIONS and EVENTS:

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

* NEW YORK MAD PRIDE 2005

 

July 8 to 14, 2005

 

The Mental Patients Liberation Alliance

25th Annual Bastille Day

Demonstration/Celebration.

 

Celebrate the Human Spirit, Break the

Silence About Psychiatric Oppression!

 

Join in a week of camping-out with a

teach-in, vigil, and more! For 25 years

this wonderful group has been using

Bastille Day -- July 14 -- to speak out

about human rights in mental health! The

legendary psychiatric survivor and shock

survivor George Ebert is one of the main

organizers.

 

This event is once again directly on the

East Lawn of the State Capitol Building

in Albany, New York! Watch for the

camp-out vigil and their huge signs.

 

Says George, " We are 'mental patients'

setting up a temporary asylum in the

State Capitol lawn. Some Alliance members

and supporters will begin a fast at the

event to call attention to and help stop

forced shock treatment. "

 

George said the event will also oppose

President Bush's new " universal mental

health screening " of all Americans.

George said, " President Bush has revealed

his mandate to have every American,

starting with our 52 million students, to

undergo 'mental health' tests.

Pharmaceutical companies have been

actively involved in designing,

implementing, and promoting the plan,

tests, and evaluations. "

 

A special focus is to end a horrendous

practice that continues in New York State

of forcing electroshock involuntarily over

the expressed wishes of the subject. This

abuse is well documented, but --

incredibly -- Governor George E. Pataki

vetoed a bill passed by the State

Assembly that would have begun to control

this horrible violation.

 

Mental Patients Liberation Alliance is

one of the founding groups of

MindFreedom. For more info: Phone

The Alliance at (315) 947-5888,

1-800-654-7227 or e-mail:

AllianceBastilleDay05

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

* ENGLAND MAD PRIDE 2005

 

July 12 - 14, 2005 from Bradford to

Manchester, UK.

 

Activists in England are pushing a

psychiatric bed on wheels from Bradford

to Manchester -- a distance of approx.

33 miles! On the psychiatric bed they are

strapping a manequin in four point

restraints, to symbolize abuse by

psychiatry! Brilliant!

 

This group is very effective in reaching

the public in visual ways, such as their

wonderful Valentine's Day protest march

of forced psychiatric drugging. They are

looking for people to join the bedpush

team -- you don't have to walk the whole

distance, only as far as you feel

comfortable walking. More details and

photos of their great past events go

to http://www.kissit.org

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

* PARIS, FRANCE MAD PRIDE 2005!

 

July 14, 2005 - The Bastille, Paris,

France.

 

Activists from MindFreedom's sponsor

group in Paris will once more gather at

the actual Bastille on Bastille Day. As

they have done for years, they solemnly

lay a wreath at the Paris Bastille to

remember the uncountable number of people

who have been killed and harmed by human

rights violations in the psychiatric

system. For more information contact

Alain Wache at alainwache.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

* TORONTO, CANADA MAD PRIDE 2005!

 

July 14 to 17, 2005

 

The Friendly Spike Arts and Information

Festival of Human Rights and Wrongs!

 

In recognition of Psychiatric Survivor

Pride Day and Mad Pride Worldwide!

 

In 1993 Toronto Psychiatric Survivors and

local community organizations began

holding a yearly event to educate the

public, bring attention to Psychiatric

Survivor issues, and empower themselves.

 

Beginning in the year 2000, Psychiatric

Survivor Pride Day aligned itself with

Mad Pride Day that is celebrated globally

on July 14th. The Friendly Spike Theatre

Band proudly acknowledges local

Psychiatric Survivor Pride and

International Mad Pride day with an

annual grassroots festival.

 

This year's event has a decidedly " human

rights and wrongs " theme because human

rights and wrongs are something we all

share in. Friendly Spike is a sponsor

group of MindFreedom International.

 

An incredible array of creative events

will take place this year in this

Toronto. All events are FREE however

donations are accepted. All events are

wheelchair accessible, however the

theatre is accessible via freight

elevator and reservations are advised.

 

-- THE OPENING!: Toronto City Hall, 100

Queen Street West, Committee Room Two,

July 14, 2005 - 1pm - 4pm.

 

Greetings from Human Rights Activist Anna

Willats and Special Guest - Velma Demerson

author of INCORRIGIBLE.

 

Featuring: Poet and writer - Leah Lakshmi

Piepzna-Samarasinha, Writer and Director

-Darren O'Donnell, Singers and

songwriters Honey Novick, Roger Ellis,

and Mamma D. (Marchand). Presenters will

discuss how various art forms and

disciplines may be used to strengthen

human rights and bring attention to human

wrongs. Friendly Spike Hosts will pay

tribute to the activism of Bonnie Burstow

and Don Weitz.

 

-- A PASSION FOR LIFE: Philosopher's

Walk, July 14th 2005 - 5pm - 6pm. (behind

Royal Conservatory of Music, 273 Bloor St.

West):

 

Members of " Women Won't Forget " lead a

tour of the vigil site at Philosopher's

Walk. Through their own stories of

survival, through the stories of murdered

women, and through poetry and music they

will demonstrate how art can keep alive

the spirit of women who have gone before

us, and bring renewed energy and a strong

voice to those of us who truly want to

change the world.

 

-- PATIO B.B.Q. : The Friendly Spike

Warehouse Theatre Patio - 2466 Dundas

Street West; July 14th 2005 - 6:30 PM -

8pm.

 

Friendly Spike serves up FREE

mouthwatering burgers, dogs, and veggie

kabobs!

 

-- HUMAN RIGHTS MATTER: The Friendly

Spike Theatre Band - 2466 Dundas Street

West - 210, Toronto; July 14th 2005 -

July 16th 8pm - 9pm.

 

Premiere of " Human Rights Matter, " a new

play by The Friendly Spike Theatre Band!

The play uses a make-believe Human Rights

Commission to review complaints. The play

is designed to encourage people to speak

out against human wrongs.

 

-- CABARET and Open Stage - The Friendly

Spike Theatre Band - 2466 Dundas Street

west, 210, Toronto, Ontario; July 14 to

July 16, 2005; 9pm - 11:30 pm.

 

Hosted by Mikel Renout, featuring the

groovy improv band Michael Holt and Kids,

and Open Stage.

 

-- RIGHTS FORUM, Parkdale Community

Legal services. July 15th 2005 - 2pm -

5pm. (Contact Friendly Spike for location

info.)

 

-- CAPA (Coalition Against Psychiatric

Assault); July 16th 2005 -1pm - 4pm.

 

CAPA PRESENTS ANTIPSYCHIATRY IN FILM AND

VIDEO: The Peace lounge, seventh floor,

Ontario Institute for Studies in

Education (OISE).

 

The afternoon will begin by a screening

of " Still Sane " made by Brenda Ingratta

and Lidia Patriasc featuring our very own

Sheila Gilhooly and Persimmon Blackbridge.

 

Next will be the premiere showing of a

video by Jeffrey Myers on " Inquiry into

Psychiatry 2005 " - the public hearings

into electroshock and drugs, which CAPA

held this April 2005. This video shows

both the planning that went into the

inquiry and testimony itself. After the

event CAPA members will answer questions

about the public hearings process.

 

-- HISTORICAL PATIENT BUILT WALL TOUR -

Queen and Shaw (outside Center for

Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen

Street West); July 17th 2005 6 pm- 8:00

pm.

 

Historian, and author of " Remembrance of

Patients Past: Patient life at The

Toronto Hospital for The Insane, 1870

-1940 " Geoffrey Reaume will lead a

walking tour featuring the strengths and

achievements of the psychiatric captives

who built the wall, and lived and died in

it's shadow. A HAPPENING, on the site will

follow.

 

For more information contact: Ruth Ruth.

Phone: (416) 516-4740 or e-mail

friendlyspike

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

* OREGON MAD PRIDE 2005

 

Sunday, 10 July -- 3 pm, Veneta, Oregon, USA

 

Since 2000, Mad Pride has been celebrated

annually inside the enormous Oregon

Country Fair near Veneta, Oregon, USA.

You are invited to Mad Pride Oregon 2005

on the intimate stage of the Community

Village. You also may find Mad Pride

folks during the fair in the Village at

the Doors of Expression Booth. Come by to

Mad Pride Oregon 2005 for music,

sing-a-longs, " normality screenings " and

a group photo. For information on how to

attend Oregon Country Fair go to

http://www.oregoncountryfair.org/

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

CHICAGO MAD PRIDE 2005!

 

MindFreedom once more is an official

participant in major Disability Pride

events in Chicago, USA.

 

-- The 2005 Disability Pride Parade

presents The Community Open Mic. Friday,

July 22, 2005, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.,

University of Illinois at Chicago

Auditorium, 1640 West Roosevelt Road.

 

Join parade organizers, Grand Marshal

Steve Brown, participants and friends for

an evening of essays, poetry and stories

the day before the disability community

kicks-off Chicago's Second Annual

Disability Pride Parade. To reserve a

spot on the program, e-mail

martinbeale70 or call (312)

253-7000 ext 199 (voice), 312-253-7002

(TTY).

 

-- Disability Pride Parade; July 23, 2005, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

 

MindFreedom will again have a contingent

marching in the Chicago's second annual

Disability Pride Parade. The Mad Pride

brigade will be led by Krista Erickson,

board member of MindFreedom

International, and a blind

cross-disability activist.

 

Come celebrate Mad Pride and build

bridges between our movement and the

disability community. Parade step-off is

at noon followed by a post-parade

celebration at Union Park -- 1:00-3:00.

If you want to be in the MindFreedom

Disability Pride Parade contingent,

please e-mail krista by July

22.

 

General information about Disability

Pride (including a link to MindFreedom's

page on Mad Pride) can be found at

http://www.disabledandproud.com

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

* VANCOUVER, CANADA - MAD PRIDE 2005!

 

July 16, 2005

 

Mad Pride Cabaret!

 

Gallery Gachet, located in Gastown at 88

E. Cordova St. (at Columbia) in

Vancouver B.C., is hosting a Mad Pride Cabaret

on Saturday, July 16, from 7 to 10 pm.

This informal cultural evening will bring

together mental health survivors and

friends to share an open mic, music,

spoken word, speakers, and video.

Refreshments will be served, and

admission is by donation.

 

Gallery Gachet is Canada's only

artist-run centre operated by and for

mental health consumers.

 

For more information -- Media Contact:

Valerie Elchu, Promotions Director, ph:

604.687.2468 (office) or visit the

website at http://www.gachet.org

 

Francesca Allan of MindFreedom will

also attend, cover the event, and network

with those who wish to start a new

affiliate MindFreedom British Columbia.

E-mail Francesca at lunatics.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED MAD PRIDE QUESTIONS!

 

WHAT'S THE BACK STORY ABOUT MAD PRIDE!

 

THE ABOVE MAD PRIDE EVENTS are just a

sample of the activities that have been

held for these past decades to celebrate

the human rights and spectacular culture

of people considered very different by

our society.

 

Mad Pride may be celebrated anytime but

is most often observed in the month of

July, usually on or around July 14,

Bastille Day. This year is the 25th

anniversary of psychiatric survivors

using Bastille Day to celebrate Mad Pride.

 

The tradition of using Bastille Day as

Mad Pride Day was started in New York by

the Mental Patients Liberation Alliance

and has since spread around the world.

The 14th of July marks the anniversary of

the storming of the Bastille in Paris,

France in 1789. For over the past two

centuries, the storming of the Bastille

has been a universal symbol of

liberation. In addition, when the

Bastille was stormed, two prisoners with

psychiatric labels being detained there

for that reason were freed.

 

The Mad Pride celebrations have grown

directly out of an historic but little-known

international social change movement led

by psychiatric survivors and mental

health consumers that began in about

1970. MindFreedom International is one

of the groups in this movement.

 

Mad Pride got its start in London

when activists there saw a Gay Pride

event and got madly inspired.

 

IS MAD PRIDE ONLY FOR PSYCHIATRIC SURVIVORS?

 

This movement is open to ALL, whether or

not you have personally been labeled by

the psychiatric system. Mad Pride is

really about Human Pride. Yes, given

humanity's track record, Human Pride may

seem daunting. Mad Pride celebrates how

each person's eccentricities, passion,

uniqueness and freedom makes you truly

human. Do not allow our very humanity to

be pathologized by a corporate mental

health system that has gone out of

control! Celebrate YOUR Mad Pride!

 

IS USING " MAD " STIGMATIZING?

 

About the use of the word " mad " : Yes,

when MindFreedom International's great

team is in the United Nations -- as it has

been for four years -- we tend to use

more " widely-acceptable " language. But

once in a while, we feel one has to do as

Gay Pride has done, and reclaim language

for our own creative and fun use! The

origin of the word mad is simply " changed. "

If you choose not to say " mad, " that's okay.

 

HOW CAN I BECOME A LEADER OF MAD PRIDE?

 

YOU ARE INVITED to be part of helping to

network, promote and organize future Mad

Pride events! It's easy. Just join the non-profit

organization MindFreedom International at

http://www.MindFreedom.org, and then

apply to be on the MindFreedom Mad Pride

Organizing Committee. Or e-mail for more

info to office. Include

your postal address if you'd like a sample

of MindFreedom's newsjournal.

 

BUT WHAT CAN I DO RIGHT *NOW* FOR MAD PRIDE?

 

You may celebrate in your own way

wherever you are this month.

 

PLEASE REMEMBER: One way to show your

MAD PRIDE right *now*, is simply to

forward, copy and post this to appropriate

places on and off the Internet!

 

And please TALK ABOUT THIS, break the

silence with your friends, relatives,

colleagues. Ask them, " Did you know this

is Mad Pride month " ? Point them to the

web site http://www.MindFreedom.org.

 

- end -

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

This news alert is a free public service

of MindFreedom International. If you

would like to be on this occasional e-mail

list of news about actions for human rights

and alternatives in mental health go here:

 

http://www.intenex.net/lists/listinfo/mindfreedom-news

 

To remove your e-mail address from this list,

see the very bottom this alert.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Promotion of Mad Pride 2005 " in a spirit

of mutual cooperation " is provided by:

 

MindFreedom International

454 Willamette, Suite 216 - POB 11284

Eugene, OR 97440-3484 USA

 

http://www.mindfreedom.org

email: office fax: (541) 345-3737

phone: (541) 345-9106 toll free in USA: 1-877-MAD-PRIDE

 

MIND YOUR FREEDOM: United Action for Human Rights.

 

join here: http://www.mindfreedom.org/join.shtml

 

MindFreedom Support Coalition International is an

independent non-profit uniting 100 sponsor groups

to win human rights & alternatives in mental health.

Accredited by the United Nations as a

Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with

Consultative Roster Status.

 

" Human salvation lies in the hands of the

creatively maladjusted. " - Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

_____________

 

If you are not on the MindFreedom-News alert list already, sign up for

this free non-profit public service here:

http://www.intenex.net/lists/listinfo/mindfreedom-news

 

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