Ray Sandford received another involuntary outpatient electroshock this morning, 10 December 2008. By a horrible coincidence today is also International Human Rights Day. The United Nations is leading a global celebration today of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Ray Alert #6: Please Forward
Ray’s Received Involuntary Outpatient Electroshock Today on 10 December — International Human Rights Day!
Today Wednesday, 10 December 2008, human rights activists all over the world are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
10 December is the UN’s official International Human Rights Day.
10 December is also the day that Ray Sandford received his 35th maintenance electroshock.
Why Ray had his hopes up this time: Read blog entry today by David W. Oaks, Director of MindFreedom, click here:
https://mindfreedom.org/mfi-blog/archive/2008/12/10/ray-sandford-shocked-today
NEW ON WEB: Learn Ray’s story — Frequently Asked Questions About Ray Sandford Campaign, click here:
https://mindfreedom.org/shield/ray/sandford-faq
Latest News on Ray Campaign
This Wednesday morning, as he has been for most mornings in the last few months, Ray was awakened early by staff in his room at the group residence Victory House near Minneapolis.
Once more an escort brought him against his will the 15 miles to Mercy Hospital, where once more — under court order — doctors placed electrodes on his head for another electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or electroshock, that can and has wiped out precious memories and cognitive abilities from Ray.
The Good News About Ray Campaign:
Because of MindFreedom’s campaign to support Ray Sandford:
- The Minnesota Governor’s office reports receiving “hundreds” of complaints. Thank you everyone!
- Three agencies are now working to replace Ray’s non-responsive court-appointed attorney with a new attorney.
- National media has finally interviewed Ray for an upcoming broadcast, possibly for early next week.
- Ray will have a new exam and hearing next week.
The Bad News: It is Not Enough! Speak Out Now!
** ACTION ** ACTION ** ACTION **
It is time to take the Ray Campaign up a notch, peacefully but strongly!
Let this become a top issue in the Governor’s office.
Telephone Governor Pawlenty’s office *NOW*:
Call any day, but especially call *before* Ray’s scheduled electroshock next Wednesday, 10 December 2008.
Call from anywhere in the world phone (651) 296-3391.
From inside Minnesota phone toll free (800) 657-3717.
You have the best chance of reaching staff from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Central Time weekdays.
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has completely stone-walled!
- His office refuses to issue any statement on the policy of forced electroshock.
- He claims he can do nothing, that his hands are tied, that the courts are in charge, when he could at least make sure Ray gets better legal representation for a stay or appeal.
- His office operators often redirect calls about Ray into a voice mail. No one we know of has ever heard back. Some operators have hung up on callers.
- Meanwhile, the Governor sponsored a $200-a-head conference about International Human Rights Day!
It is time to get creative!
- Ray will not give up!
- We will not give up!
- Don’t you give up!
Please be peaceful, but be CREATIVELY MALADJUSTED in your next phone calls to Governor Pawlenty’s office.
First, get the name of the operator and write it down. Then start by asking polite but firm questions about advocacy…
- about citizen input…
- about who to talk to about mental health policy…
- about the names and phone numbers of the Ombudsman office
- about mental health policy and the mental health division…
- about how poor people can have adequate legal representation…
And only then ask about why the Governor is refusing to speak out about Involuntary Outpatient Electroshock (IOE)?
Insist on speaking to a live real person about this issue.
If you do not get a real person with a real reply, CALL BACK.
If an operator hangs up on you, call back and ask to speak to a manager and complain.
Telephone Governor Pawlenty’s office *NOW*:
Call any day, but especially call *before* Ray’s scheduled electroshock next Wednesday, 10 December 2008.
Call from anywhere in the world phone (651) 296-3391.
From inside Minnesota phone toll free (800) 657-3717.
You have the best chance of reaching staff from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Central Time weekdays.
If you do receive any helpful information or leads, e-mail it to news-at-mindfreedom.org.
Learn more about Ray on the all-new Frequently Asked Questions page about the Ray Campaign.
Learn about:
- The back story about Ray.
- How MindFreedom filed an official torture complaint about the State of Minnesota to the United Nations.
- And what else you can do to help.
Click on the Frequently Asked Questions page here:
https://mindfreedom.org/shield/ray/sandford-faq
Get Around the Media Blackout!
Forward this human rights alert to all people who care about human rights, on and off the Internet!
And Encourage Everyone to Join MindFreedom International During the Fall 2008 Support Drive!
Build the people power it will take to stop the kind of torture that Ray is experiencing!
For information about how you can join MindFreedom today, click here:
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