Combatting police brutality is at the forefront of progressive political activism, with calls for major institutional reform, or indeed prison abolition. Multi-award-winning author of Black and Blue and former police officer Veronica Gorrie has edited a new collection that examines the widespread problem of police criminality and corruption, with essays from the survivors, campaigners and academics who understand these issues in depth.
Told with candour, honesty, bravery and rage, these stories will challenge readers to reflect on the institutions that so many people take for granted. Veronica is joined by Stella Prize winning poet and editor of Overland literary journal, Evelyn Araluen.
Veronica Gorrie is a Gunai/Kurnai woman whose first book, Black and Blue, won the 2022 Victorian Premier's Prize for Literature and the 2022 Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Indigenous Writing. Veronica is also the editor of a new essay collection, When Cops are Criminals.
Evelyn Araluen is a Goorie and Koori poet, researcher and co-editor of Overland literary journal. Her Stella-prize winning poetry collection Dropbear was published in 2021.
This venue is wheelchair accessible, but please visit our Accessibility page or email hello@bluemountainswritersfestival.com.au if you have any other accessibility requirements.
Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival will have Auslan interpreters available for the Festival and will schedule them into sessions on request. Please complete the Auslan request question at checkout.
This session is presented in partnership with the First Nations Australia Writers Network (FNAWN).
Festival Ticket Information
To take full advantage of all the events on offer, we recommend purchasing a weekend or day pass. Subject to availability, a strictly limited number of single tickets may become available, see below.