ABOLITION SCHOOL

Following the legacy of grassroots community education like Septima Clark's citizenship schools, the Civil Rights Movement's freedom schools, abolition schools, and other instances of community political and alternative education spaces, we formulated a free abolition school for our community that focuses on group learning and praxis (putting what we learn into action). Why? Because we can't change the world until we understand the forces that are against us and actively struggle against them...together!

Abolition School is meant to be a deep learning space, available to anyone willing and ready to learn about abolition, organizing, movement building, and making change. We take inspiration from many organizations, past and present, providing political education and spaces for learning. Our vision for this initiative is to collectively question the world we live in, examine the roots of systems of oppression, and determine how we actively resist them and move toward a new world.

We completed our Abolition School Pilot in 2024 and we made it available for you! Check it out in our “Self Guided Learning” page, which is listed under the “Learn” tab!

Our next Abolition School "Let's Get Real About Abolition" will start Thursday, September 11th, 2025. Orientation is Thursday, August 28th at Eleanor’s bookstore from 6:30-8:30pm. All materials will be provided at no cost. Donations are always welcome and go towards supporting incarcerated participants of abolition school.

Abolition School fall 2025 FAQ:

Where will we meet? : On the first Thursdays of each month, we will meet virtually! Sign up to receive the meeting link through our “Contact Us” page and ensure to select “Abolition School” as your message’s subject title. On the last Thursdays of each month, we will meet at Eleanor’s bookstore (801 Boush Street, Unit B, Norfolk, VA 23510). Virtual attendance will remain an option for those unable to attend in person.

Is virtual attendance an option?: Yes! DM us on Instagram or use our “Contact Us” page to message us for a meeting link. Ensure to select “Abolition School” as your message’s subject title.

When will we meet?: On the 2nd and last Thursdays of each month from 6:30pm-8:30pm.

Schedule for fall 2025:

Session 0: Date: August 28th

Theme: Orientation Day! Join us as we give you a preview of this semester as well as talk through updates to our website and merchandise.

Meeting location: We will be meeting at Eleanor’s. Dm us through Instagram or use our “Contact Us” page to message us for a virtual meeting link if you cannot make it in person.

Session 1: Dates: September 11th & 25th

Theme: Let’s Get Real About Abolition

Meeting location (Sept 11th): We will be meeting virtually this day.Dm us through Instagram or use our “Contact Us” page to message us for a virtual meeting link.

Meeting location (Sept 25th): We will be meeting at Eleanor’s. Dm us through Instagram or use our “Contact Us” page to message us for a virtual meeting link if you cannot make it in person.

Session 2: Dates: October 9th & 30th

Theme:Capitalism & Carceral Systems

Meeting location (Oct 9th): We will be meeting virtually this day.Dm us through Instagram or use our “Contact Us” page to message us for a virtual meeting link.

Meeting location (Oct 30th: We will be meeting at Eleanor’s. Dm us through Instagram or use our “Contact Us” page to message us for a virtual meeting link if you cannot make it in person.

Session 3: Dates: November 6th & 20th

Theme: Radical Imagination & Radical Resistance

Meeting location (Nov 6th): We will be meeting virtually this day.Dm us through Instagram or use our “Contact Us” page to message us for a virtual meeting link.

Meeting location (Nov 20th): We will be meeting at Eleanor’s. Dm us through Instagram or use our “Contact Us” page to message us for a virtual meeting link if you cannot make it in person.

Session 4: Date: December 11

Theme: Wrap Up/ Final Projects

Meeting location (Dec 11th): We will be meeting virtually this day.Dm us through Instagram or use our “Contact Us” page to message us for a virtual meeting link.

To sign up for Abolition School fall 2025, click the “SIGN UP” button below and select “Abolition School” as your message’s subject title.