Second Anniversary of the death of Kimberly Rogers

Events scheduled for Monday, August 11, 2003

On August 9, 2001, the body of Kimberly Rogers was discovered in her Sudbury apartment. Her death sparked outrage in the community and beyond and raised questions about the social welfare policies of the Ontario government. Subsequent to Kimberly's death, additional municipalities across Ontario joined a list (that included Sudbury) demanding an end to the "zero tolerance" policy of the current provincial government.

On December 19, 2002 a five-person jury released its 14 recommendations arising from the inquest into the death of Kimberly Rogers. One of the recommendations calls for the end of bans (including the present lifetime ban) in the receipt of social assistance payments after conviction of "welfare fraud".

To this day, the Provincial government has refused to follow-up or address any of the jury's concerns. Kimberly's courage in challenging extreme and unjust welfare policies has not been forgotten.....

Please browse: http://dawn.thot.net/Kimberly_Rogers/

Below is a sample of events taking place on August 11th.

SUDBURY

A vigil will be held at the Provincial building located in downtown Sudbury. The starting time is noon. Participants are asked to bring flowers, including wildflowers, as a symbol of respect.

The brief ceremony will include a short introduction, Native People's drumming, the laying of a wreath and a moment of silence. Those attending will also be able to leave notes which will be forwarded to the Ontario government. Organized by the Justice with Dignity Committee (formerly known as the Committee to Remember Kimberly Rogers).

TORONTO
We are inviting all concerned to a press conference and a vigil to remember Kimberly and press for implementation of the inquest recommendations will be held at Queen's Park. The press conference with advocates involved in the inquest into Kimberly's death, begins at 11:30 in the media studio. The vigil to remember her struggle and call for action on the inquest recommendations will begin at noon.

Next week is a good time for you, your members or clients, and friends to write or call Minister Brenda Elliot, Premier Ernie Eves and your local MPP demanding action on the inquest recommendations. (To find his/her number, call Queen's Park at (416) 326-1234 or 1-800-267-8097). Please also send letters to newspapers, call T.V. and Radio stations, ask your local council what they are doing about it, raise the issue however and where ever you can. There are helpful materials available on the ISAC website, (www.incomesecurity.org) such as the Jury recommendations.

For more info or to help out, call: Josephine Grey or Liz Paiva at 416-597- 5820 or write to us at the address above.

LONDON

A vigil will be held in memory of Kimbery Rogers and her unborn child in the garden of Sharlene McLearon's home on Monday, August 11 at 11:00 am.

Sharlene McLearon is the artist who graciously painted the portrait of Kimberly Rogers entitled, Angel with Child that can be viewed at this link http://dawn.thot.net/Kimberly_Rogers/portrait.html

Please contact Sharlene McLearon at email asharlene@sympatico.ca for address and additional info.

NORTH BAY

DAWN Ontario (http://dawn.thot.net) will be planting our second white rose bush in memory of Kimberly Rogers and her unborn child. This will be followed by a silent vigil. Each year until the welfare bans are lifted, we will continue to plant a white rose bush in different locations around the city, in memory of the woman who courageously launched a charter challenge against the welfare ban. We hope this will be our last. For more info, email DAWN Ontario