May 22
11:00 am–9:00 pm
Doors Open. All Are Welcome.
Interactive exhibits, family-friendly activities, local vendors, and more.
11:00 am–9:00 pm
People’s Paper Co-op Art Exhibit
Art and activism supporting re-entry.
11:15 am–12:15 pm
Drag Queen Story Time
This exciting and energetic program will celebrate diversity, inclusivity, and kindness. With Philly’s drag queen Brittany Lynn.
12:30 pm–1:30 pm
Maha Yoga: Peace and Justice Yoga Session
Join us as we take part in a group yoga class. All are welcome. Bring a mat!
2:30 pm–3:30 pm
Know Your Rights at a Protest
With ACLU-PA Deputy Legal Director Mary Catherine Roper and Marianne Bessey.
3:30 pm–4:30 pm
Q & A with the ACLU of Pennsylvania
Learn about the ACLU of Pennsylvania’s work on immigrants’ rights and criminal justice reform.
5:30 pm–7:30 pm
Free Beer and Food Available
5:30 pm–9:00 pm
2019 Greater Philadelphia Chapter Annual Gathering
Featuring the 2019 Torchbearer Award, presented to The Coalition to Abolish Death By Incarceration.
5:30 pm–6:30 pm
Cocktail Hour
Please join us for the 2019 Greater Philadelphia Chapter Annual Gathering. Explore ACLU100 and hear the Patrick Hwang Jazz Trio play during the cocktail hour. Free food and beverages will be served. ALL are welcome.
6:30 pm–6:45 pm
Batalá Philadelphia & Victor Jackson
Samba Reggae percussion group, Batalá, will perform, followed by spoken word artist Victor Jackson.
6:45 pm–8:15 pm
Annual Meeting
Hear from our chapter leadership, ACLU-PA Executive Director Reggie Shuford, and Deputy Director of ACLU’s Racial Justice Program Nusrat Choudhury. All are welcome!
May 23
11:00 am–8:00 pm
Doors Open. All Are Welcome.
Interactive exhibits, family-friendly activities, local vendors, and more.
11:00 am–8:00 pm
People’s Paper Co-op Art Exhibit
Art and activism supporting re-entry.
11:45 am–12:45 pm
A Performance by Victory Boyd
Listen to singer, songwriter, and producer Victory Boyd perform songs from her new album The Broken Instrument.
12:45 pm–1:45 pm
Broken Instrument Panel
Following Victory’s performance, hear from an activist panel (featuring Timothy N. Welbeck, Bobby Harris, Stephanie D. Keene, LaTonya “T” Myers, and Selina Carrera) discussing the urgent need for criminal justice reform.
3:30 pm–4:30 pm
Q & A with the ACLU of Pennsylvania
Learn about the ACLU of Pennsylvania’s work on immigrants’ rights and criminal justice reform.
4:30 pm–5:15 pm
Volunteer Tabling Training
Come train to be on our volunteer team!
5:00 pm–6:00 pm
Volunteer Appreciation Happy Hour
Mingle with ACLU of Pennsylvania staff as we toast all of the contributions made by our wonderful volunteers.
5:00 pm–6:15 pm
Emmanuel Nsingani & Momo
African jazz musician and Congolese refugee Emmanuel Nsingani performs live.
5:00 pm–7:00 pm
Food Truck and Free Beer
Food available for purchase and free beer
5:30 pm–6:30 pm
Young Leadership Outreach Team of Philadelphia Happy Hour
Join the Philadelphia Young Leadership Outreach Team for a drink, light snacks, and a meeting to talk about goals for the upcoming year.
6:30 pm–6:40 pm
Nadine B
A spoken word performance.
6:30 pm–7:30 pm
Live Podcast: Speaking Freely with the ACLU-PA
Director of Communications Andy Hoover, Senior Staff Attorney Molly Tack-Hooper, and others.
Highlights
Broken Instrument Performance & Panel
May 23, 11:45am
Singer, songwriter, and producer Victory Boyd will perform songs from her new album The Broken Instrument.
In an interview with Fader Magazine, Victory Boyd explained that the inspiration behind “Broken Instrument” came from discovering a beautiful guitar in a Brooklyn trash can. To her, the guitar was exceptionally valuable. So much craftsmanship and time went into creating the instrument — yet, someone threw it away.
This metaphor will be the focus of the panel discussion. Both the justice system, as well as society, are too quick to lock people away and are unwilling to foster opportunities for returning citizens to rebuild their lives and reclaim their liberty.
Moderator:
Timothy N. Welbeck – An attorney, professor, hip-hop artist, and contributing writer. Presently he serves as the Civil Rights Attorney for the Philadelphia Chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
Panelists:
Bobby Harris – A social justice advocate and community organizer for JLUSA’s “Close The Creek” campaign in Philadelphia.
Stephanie D. Keene – Philadelphia-based writer and creative. She owns Incense, Trap, & Yoga, an apparel line that promotes a culture of justice.
Selina Carrera – Afro-Latinx scholar, organizer, singer-songwriter, and artist.
LaTonya “T” Myers – community advocate with People’s Paper Co-op.
Drag Queen Story Time with Brittany Lynn
May 22, 11:15am
This exciting and energetic program will celebrate diversity, inclusivity, and kindness. Drag Queen Story Time brings all types of families together: single parents, same-gender parents, and straight parents who just love the idea of a Drag Queen Story time!
Maha Yoga: Peace & Justice Yoga Session
May 22, 12:30pm
Maha Yoga will be providing an all-levels “Peace & Justice” yoga class open to all guests. Justicia DeClue will teach a class focused on the need to create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming society. Maha Yoga is proud to support the ACLU of Pennsylvania’s work fighting for the rights of all. It’s free to attend and all are welcome! Just bring your own mat!
Batalá
May 22, 6:30pm
Come to the 2019 Greater Philadelphia Chapter Annual Gathering and hear the Samba Reggae percussion sounds of Batalá! Batalá’s mission is to enrich and inspire by providing an Afro-Brazillian musical and cultural experience through arts education and live performances. Their distinct form of musical expression and cultural heritage from Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, is open to all individuals regardless of race, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or background.
Emmanuel Nsingani & Momo
May 23, 5:00pm
African jazz musician and Congolese refugee Emmanuel Nsingani is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known for his jazz bass playing. Nsingani has been playing music all his life, immersing himself in the world of jazz, gospel and, of course, Congolese rumba/soukous. Join us as he performs live.
Parking Information
Parkway – 23rd & Market Lot
2234 Market St
Open 24 hours
21st & Sansom Streets
2107 Sansom St
Open 24 hours
Patriot Parking Inc
2102 Sansom St
Open 24 hours
Park America
2027 Sansom St
