Press Releases
Blyth Festival and AIDWYC collaboration needs Volunteers for Important Role Thursday, July 17 2008
For immediate release
July 17, 2008
Contact: Karen Stewart, Director of Marketing & Development
519-523-9300, ext 209
The Association in Defense of the Wrongly Convicted (AIDWYC) and the Blyth Festival are supporting each other’s work in 2008. With the imminent opening of the Blyth Festival’s world première, Innocence Lost – a play about Steven Truscott, the Festival and AIDWYC are looking for volunteers to assist in a vital role - to assist with distribution of information about the work of AIDWYC prior to each performance of Innocence Lost. In addition to providing an opportunity for AIDWYC to promote its cause, the Blyth Festival is contributing $2 for each paid ticket during opening week performances of Innocence Lost to AIDWYC.
The Association in Defense of the Wrongly Convicted (AIDWYC) is a Canadian non-profit volunteer organization that is dedicated to preventing and rectifying wrongful convictions. Since its inception in 1993, the association has developed a well-earned reputation as it has railed against a justice system that has put people like Steven Truscott, Guy Paul Morin and David Milgaard behind bars for crimes they did not commit. At present there is no system in place for an independent review of claims of wrongful conviction in Canada. AIDWYC fills this gap, attracting some of the top legal experts in Ontario. Its core legal team of over 30 lawyers work pro bono to champion the cause of factually innocent persons - mostly poor, forgotten individuals who have exhausted all of their legal avenues. AIDWYC volunteers also work tirelessly to prevent wrongful convictions through education and reform.
Last week, Truscott was awarded $6.5 million following a 2007 Ontario Court of Appeal decision that found he was the victim of a miscarriage of justice. It was the culmination of decade-long battle undertaken by AIDWYC to clear Truscott's name of the 1959 killing of his 12-year-old classmate, Lynne Harper.
Innocence Lost: a play about Steven Truscott by Beverley Cooper will explore the far-reaching effects of crime and punishment in Canada. The case of Steven Truscott is of national interest and is well-known to people all across Canada. This play examines many aspects of the case, but most notably, the impact it has had on the community. “While theatre is certainly meant to entertain, it is also meant to be thought-provoking, prompt debate and be a reflection and comment on the issues facing modern society” (The Beacon Herald).
Innocence Lost previews on July 30 and 31st and opens August 1st, 2008. Tickets start at just $20 and are available by calling the box office toll free at 877-862-5984. More information and the performance schedule are available online at www.blythfestival.com.
If you would like to assist with the distribution of AIDWYC materials, please contact Cam Laurie at 519-523-9300 / 877-862-5984, ext 205 with available dates.
Innocence Lost: a play about Steven Truscott is generously sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 420, Blyth; the Legion Ladies Auxiliary to Branch 420; Media sponsors are CKNX am920 and 101.7 The One. The development of Innocence Lost is supported by CIBC. The 2008 season sponsors are Sparling’s Propane Co. Ltd. and CTV.
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