The London Central Public Library celebrates “Freedom to Read Week”
Global Importune’s “Persecuted Writers Project”
When: Monday, February 24, 2020 from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: London Central Public Library, Wolf Performance Hall
251 Dundas Street, London, Ontario
During Freedom to Read Week, Canadians all across the country celebrated their right to read whatever material they wish.
Sadly, however, there are people in other countries who do not enjoy the same privilege. Some have been and are currently imprisoned merely for their writings and we as a concerned community gather together to give voice to those who can not speak for themselves.
- Members of the London community will be reading short passages from the works of imprisoned, harassed or banned writers from around the world.
- Raihan Abir is the co-author of one of Bangladesh’s most controversial books, Philosophy of Disbelief. Abir will talk about the persecution he experienced in Bangladesh as a result of writing the book. Published in 2011, the book became a potent symbol sparking a wave of murderous violence against secularists in Bangladesh. In 2015, Mr. Abir’s co-author, Avijit Roy, was hacked to death on a street in Bangladesh. The book’s two publishers were both attacked; one managed to survive while the other was killed in his office. Mr. Abir is one of the few people connected to the book who is still alive to talk about it.
- Following Mr. Abri’s talk, members of audience will be invited to sign letters of concern on behalf of various Amnesty International persecuted writers.
For more information, contact, Mark Konrad Executive Director, Global Importune at 519-438-9284 or by e-mail at globalimportune@bell.net.
Please help spread the word by sharing the image below or printing and hanging the flyer with the PDF download below.
