This morning, 25 March 2009, Ray Sandford is receiving another involuntary, outpatient, maintenance electroshock in Minnesota. Join us in speaking out! Contact President Barack Obama, and participate in protests in April and May.
Ray Alert #16: 25 March 2009
Ray Sandford Gets Another Forced Outpatient Electroshock Today
Ask President Obama to Stop US Funding of Forced Electroshock!
Protest in May!
Support MindFreedom Protest Fund
by David W. Oaks, Director, MindFreedom International
Ray Sandford was woken up early again this Wednesday morning, 25 March 2009, in his basement room in a small assisted group home north of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
As has happened about 40 times before, Ray is escorted against his will and under court order the 15 miles north to Mercy Hospital. He is put under anesthesia, given another involuntary electroshock, and sent home.
Ray is not a criminal.
Ray is not violent.
Ray’s only offense is peacefully, clearly, repeatedly and reasonably saying “no” to his electroshock.
Join MindFreedom in sending your personal message about Ray and an out-of-control mental health system to President Barack Obama at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Buzz Words vs. Reality
Today’s “modern” mental health system has a lot of buzz words:
Transformation. Empowerment. Recovery. Human rights. Self-determination. Alternatives. Peer-driven services. Trauma-informed care.
But here is the reality.
This morning, as happens about twice a month, Ray is getting anotherinvoluntary, outpatient, maintenance electroshock over his objections.
President Obama announced he spends time each day at his desk reading at least some letters from constituents. He needs to hear about the USA mental health system, today. Show national and international concern!
If everyone acts, Ray may reach his personal attention. But no matter what, your message is forwarded to federal agencies.
Because of you, the USA government can never say, “We never knew.”
Let President Obama and the USA government know in your own words:
- Everyone — including President Obama — must speak out against forced electroshock! Stand up for Ray!
- If you have personal experience with mental health care — personally, as a mental health worker, or through a loved one — let him know. Your brief personal story is powerful!
- “More money” is not enough to change the mental health system: What is your vision?
- There is a criminal waste of taxpayer money in mental health care today.
- Real change begins with what kinds of real choices we offer our most powerless citizens.
- Forced electroshock is torture worse than waterboarding!
- Ask for a reply about his position on federally-funded involuntary electroshock!
Action Action Action!
You can use an easy White House web form to write in just seconds!
For all contact info for President Obama including web, fax, comment phone and postal mail, click here:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Extra actions:
- If you have a moment, please also postal mail a copy of your letter to the White House. Double your chances!
- Please also e-mail a copy of the text of your letter tonews@mindfreedom.org for possible posting on the MindFreedom web site, and to be sent to Ray.
No matter what, your comments may be read by others, and give Ray comfort!
As the President knows, community organizing works! Act now, together, everyone, by the thousands!
More News on Ray’s Nonviolent Campaign to ZAP BACK!
May protests:
Ray’s main request makes sense: Protest!
MindFreedom activists plan to go to Minnesota to join protests about Ray Sandford from 1 May to 3 May 2009. You may speak out about Ray wherever you are. Or join the MindFreedom protest in Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Groups are protesting electroshock in Toronto, Montreal, Ireland and elsewhere in May. MindFreedom is protesting the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting in San Francisco. Watch for details and join us! If you can’t, plan your own leafletting, vigil and/or protests locally.
Ray on the Web:
Did you know there is a “Frequently Asked Questions” [FAQ] page about the Ray Sandford campaign?
Have you wondered…
- Why Ray does not escape?
- What the system’s “excuse” is for forcibly electroshocking him?
- What media coverage there has been?
- How you can write Ray and send your support?
To read Ray’s FAQ, as well as a campaign blog, past alerts, and more, go through this gateway:
Unite with others in the Ray Campaign:
To further participate in the MindFreedom campaign to support Ray, current MindFreedom members are invited to get on the busy MindFreedom “zapback” e-mail list about electroshock, click here:
http://www.intenex.net/lists/listinfo/mindfreedom-zapback
Support Nonviolent Direct Action and Protest of Mental Health Abuse!
Support MindFreedom International Protest Fund
Donate, join or renew early now!
https://mindfreedom.org/join-donate
Independence, mutual support and strength in numbers are why MindFreedom is one of the few groups in the world to break the silence about existence of involuntary electroshock for over two decades.
MindFreedom is the group that got the World Health Organization to come out against all forced electroshock!
This people power is why Ray had somewhere to turn, when he asked his local library to find human rights organizations! Take action.
Donate to the MindFreedom International Protest Fund here:
https://mindfreedom.org/join-donate
Need more reasons to give?
Celebrating its 23rd anniversary this year, MindFreedom International is a 100 percent independent nonprofit united to win activist campaigns for human rights and alternatives in mental health.
Times are tough, so that makes it even more important that each and every person give what he or she can.
Benefits include MindFreedom Journal, special web and e-mail networking, discount on http://www.madmarket.org purchases, MindFreedom Shield, member services office… and a nonviolent revolution in mental health.
Support voices for choices in mental health!
Mind Your Freedom!
Donate, join now or renew early here:
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