Gang Wars

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2009
Contact: Kevin Smith   
604.660.0588; Kevin.Smith(at)JusticeEducation.ca    

Experts to Discuss the Justice System’s Response to Gangs
Forum to be Webcast Live Tomorrow

Vancouver, BC – Experts will gather tomorrow at a forum that will examine the justice system’s response to BC’s gang problem. Gang Wars: Justice in Our Times will be webcast live on www.JusticeInOurTimes.ca at 7:00pm.

The Forum is organized by the Justice Education Society (formerly the Laws Courts Education Society) in partnership with the Vancouver Sun and Shaw. The forum will be moderated by The Honourable Judge Pedro de Couto, President of the Justice Education Society, and will include:

  • Superintendent Dan Malo, Officer in Charge, BC Integrated Gang Task Force
  • Teresa R. Mitchell-Banks, Q.C., Deputy Director (Special Prosecutions), Ministry of the Attorney General
  • Kim Bolan, journalist, Vancouver Sun
  • Theresa Campbell, Manager, Safe Schools, Surrey School District

A number of mayors, MLAs, judges and community members will be attending the forum      in-person. After the panelists answer questions from the moderator, audience members will be invited to add their comments.

“By using the Internet to broadcast the forum live we hope to educate as many British Columbians as possible about how our justice system can better respond to BC’s gang problem,” said Rick Craig, executive director of the Justice Education Society.

The Vancouver Sun has published a number of articles over the past five days that can serve as background information for what will be discussed at the forum. An edited version of the forum will be broadcast on Shaw on June 19 (8:00pm to 9:00pm) and June 20 (6:00pm to 7:00pm).

About the Justice Education Society
Established in 1989 as the Law Courts Education Society, the Justice Education Society is dedicated to improving access to the legal system through hands-on, targeted, two-way education between the public and those working in the justice system. A non-profit organization with ongoing public and private sector financial and volunteer support, the Society offers a unique and comprehensive collection of justice-related educational services with the goal of creating a justice system that is accessible to all.

-30-

For more information please contact:

Kevin Smith at 604.660.0588; Kevin.Smith(at)JusticeEducation.ca