Chicago Convergence will feature women and trans people of color imprisoned for self-defense

On Thursday, March 26th at 7:30 pm CT, the Chicago convergence will feature an historic discussion among women of color who have been prosecuted and incarcerated for defending their lives or the lives of their friends and families.

Chicago Convergence Speakers

Marissa Alexander

Speakers include Marissa Alexander, a black mother from Jacksonville, FL, who defended her life from an attack by her abusive husband.

Alexander was denied a Stand Your Ground defense, and was prosecuted and sentenced to 20 years before she appealed the verdict and recently agreed to a plea deal.

CeCe McDonald

CeCe McDonald, a black trans woman from Minneapolis, fought back against a violent, racist and transphobic attack.

McDonald was forced to serve time in a men’s prison, but was recently released and is now the feature of an upcoming documentary, *Free CeCe*, that focuses on violence against trans women of color.

Renata Hill

Renata Hill was with her friends, Patreese, Venice, and Terrain – all black lesbians — when they were threatened with sexual assault by a man in New York City’s West Village.

They were arrested, called a “Gang of Killer Lesbians” by the media, and sentenced to years in prison. Their story is currently featured in the award-winning documentary, *Out in the Night*.

Yvonne Swan

Yvonne Swan, member of the Colville Tribe, was known as Yvonne Wanrow when she was prosecuted for killing a man who attempted to sexually assault her son in 1976. The discussion will be facilitated by Chicago activist, Mariame Kaba, member of the Chicago Alliance to Free Marissa Alexander (CAFMA).

“I am thrilled that Marissa Alexander is joining the panel discussion for the COV4 convergence!,” said Ayanna Banks Harris, also a member of the Chicago Alliance to Free Marissa Alexander. “Though she remains tethered to the State of Florida for the next two years, we at CAFMA find great joy in seeing Marissa transition into the community and world with multiple opportunities to share her story. The retelling of her story is made invaluable through her voice. Marissa has been clear in her belief that “this” has not just been for and about her solely, and she continues to demonstrate that belief by using her voice to raise greater awareness about domestic violence, its survivors, and the women of color who’ve been criminalized for interrupting that violence.”

Join The Chicago Convergence Discussion

Chicago Convergence 4 will draw 1500 women of color and trans and queer people of color from across North America and beyond to generate discussions and action planning focused on ending all forms of violence against their communities.

“Movements that address domestic and sexual violence, reproductive violence, immigration violence, police violence, and the prison industrial complex must do more to build powerful coalitions,” said Alisa Bierria, member of INCITE! and the national Free Marissa Now Mobilization Campaign.

“As we have seen with these speakers’ experiences, these issues work together to undermine the lives of women of color and trans/queer people of color from across different contexts, locations, and gender expressions. At COV4, activists, artists, and scholars will develop movement building strategies that incorporate a strong consciousness of the intersections of these issues as they impact our lives.”

For more information, please visit their website, colorofviolence.org.