Welcome home fund for Kevin Chianella

Kevin Chianella received a 2 year prison sentence for his participation in the G20 protests in Toronto in 2010. Chianella, 18 at the time, got a heftier sentence because he attacked a cop car with a canvas bag full of rocks. He is also presumed to have fueled and sustained a fire set on another cop car. Chianella, from Queens, was supported in court by his family, among them, his 90-year-old grandmother.

Now, we are nearing Kevin’s release. Not only will Kevin face the same financial hardships many face once released from prison, but he also owes friends and family members who took on significant financial burdens throughout his trial and imprisonment. With that, NYC ABC has organized an online fund raiser. To donate, visit youcaring.com/Chianella

Please remember that prisoner support doesn’t end when a comrade is released. Through halfway houses, supervised release, parole, or probation, there is usually state supervision beyond the initial sentence. Also, prison is traumatic. And of course there is the stigma of being a former prisoner that effects nearly every aspect of one’s life. All of this adds up to the less obvious, but equally necessary, support needed when our loved ones come home.

For more information on Kevin and his case, visit notorontog20extradition.wordpress.com