#savemumia

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Political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal’s health deteriorating -- please act now!

Medical Malfeasance and Deliberate Indifference at SCI-Mahanoy are Killing Mumia Abu-Jamal

We are concerned about Mumia's deteriorating health,as has been witnessed in recent weeks by his visiting doctor, clergy, counselors, teachers, family and friends.  Evidence of intensifying Hepatitis C symptoms and possible development of the diabetes that nearly killed him a year ago calls for immediate and appropriate treatment.  

We, therefore, urge you to DEMAND:

Immediate provision to Mumia of anti-viral treatment to cure his Hepatitis C condition that is, as his doctor testified in court, the persistent cause of worsening skin disease, almost certain liver damage, now extreme weight-gain and hunger, and other diabetic-like conditions. 

Immediate release of all recent blood test results to Mumia's attorneys.

Vigilant monitoring of Mumia for signs of diabetes,especially of his blood sugar level, since a diabetes attack nearly killed Mumia last spring of 2015.

PHONE, FAX, AND E-MAIL THESE DEMANDS TO: PA GOVERNOR, TOM WOLF   Phone: [phone]    Fax: [phone]   E-mail: [email protected]

PA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, SECRETARY, JOHN WETZEL   Phone: [phone],  717-787-2500 E-mail:  [email protected]

MAHANOY PRISON, SUPERINTENDENT, Theresa DelBalso Phone: [phone] (You have to be transferred to her secretary, and she refuses to give out the fax number or e-mail for the Superintendent.  Not surprising, given that this new superintendent has a very heavy military background)

AFTER YOU CALL, post the results here: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1266016626760643/1266556286706677/

Sponsored by:  International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal, MOVE, Educators for Mumia, Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC), Campaign to Bring Mumia Home, International Action Center  

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New York City: Urgent 911 Report to the Movement on Mumia

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015 6 PM – 9 PM ALL SOULS UNITARIAN CHURCH 1157 LEXINGTON AVENUE (between 79th and 80th Streets)

Now that Mumia’s legal team has filed the demand for a very specific medical treatment plan, based on the tentative diagnosis of his medical condition that one of his doctors has made, we feel it is important that we share the legal strategy and the medical findings with the movement. There will also be a presentation of the outrageous and deadly medical picture in the prison system as a whole for all of our political prisoners as well as for the general prison population. We will discuss some beginning plans for the next political steps we must take to save Mumia’s life and to free him. And we look forward to hearing initiatives others might take as well in moving forward. Partial List of Speakers:

Pam Africa International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal

Bob Boyle Member of Mumia’s Legal Team

Suzanne Ross Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition

Others to be announced

Light refreshments will be available.

Sponsored by the Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC) 212.330.8029

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Lynne Stewart is calling on you to join her in getting Mumia Abu Jamal life-saving medical treatment!

GIVE now: bit.ly/fight4mumia SHARE this post We stand beside Lynne to demand that Mumia's treatable Hepatitis C will not be his death sentence! We need your help. Will you stand up with Lynne, Mumia and Prison Radio today? #fight4mumia #freemumia #mumiamustlive

Via Prison Radio

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Untreated diabetes nearly killed Abu-Jamal in March, and the DOC is refusing to treat his active Hepatitis C.

From the Abolitionist Law Center:

August 3, 2015: Attorneys for political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal filed an amended lawsuit yesterday in the Middle District of Pennsylvania federal court to challenge prison medical staff’s denial of necessary medical treatment – denial that nearly killed Abu-Jamal earlier this year.

See Plaintiff’s Motion to Amend Complaint and the Amended Complaint.

On March 30, 2015, Abu-Jamal was rushed to the hospital after losing consciousness and going into diabetic shock. Although prison medical staff were aware that Abu-Jamal had a dangerously high blood glucose level of 419 on March 6, they failed to treat, monitor, or even inform Abu-Jamal of his condition. Glucose levels like those that Abu-Jamal had can result in diabetic shock, diabetic coma, and death.

Abu-Jamal’s diabetic shock came in the midst of an escalating year-long health crisis that began with a rash in August 2014. The skin condition grew in intensity over the course of the next several months, eventually covering most of his body with a painful, severe rash that is resistant to conventional treatments. The skin condition is abnormal in its duration and intensity, and has led to lesions, open wounds, and swelling.

The lawsuit filed yesterday seeks injunctive relief for prison medical staff’s failure to treat Abu-Jamal’s active Hepatitis C. Recent blood tests provided at the insistence of Abu-Jamal, his lawyers, and consulting doctors have confirmed that Abu-Jamal has active Hepatitis C, which has likely been the underlying cause of his health crisis. Despite the undeniable medical evidence that he is in need of treatment for his Hepatitis C, prison medical staff is refusing to provide any.

Advances in Hepatitis C treatment in recent years have revolutionized the way the disease is treated, with new direct-acting anti-viral medications that have had over 95% success rates in curing the illness in clinical trials. The medications, however, are extraordinarily expensive in the United States due to monopoly pricing practices by the pharmaceutical companies that have patented them.

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections has yet to promulgate a new protocol for treating Hepatitis C with the new medications, meaning that the estimated 10,000-plus people in DOC custody who have Hepatitis C are not receiving any treatment.

This issue is the subject of a class action lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania federal court in June 2015.

Abu-Jamal is represented by Bret Grote of the Abolitionist Law Center and Robert J. Boyle of New York City.

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Mumia Abu-Jamal needs life saving treatment for Hepatitis C. And we need your help to get it. 

Dear Friends,

On Saturday August 1, prison medical staff told Mumia Abu-Jamal that he hasactive Hepatitis C.  But the prison is refusing to give Mumia any treatment.

Today, we are going back to court to demand justice for our brother.

And we need your help to do it.

Prison is Refusing Treatment for Hepatitis C!

We need to escalate the fight for Mumia's care.

Mumia was admitted to the hospital with lethal blood sugar levels and in renal failure in late March. At every step of the way, Secretary of Corrections John Wetzel and the prison Superintendent John Kerestes have blocked, denied, and delayed medically necessary tests and treatments. Mumia has been hospitalized twice.

The only reason that Mumia has been given any diagnostic care is because we --his lawyers, his doctors, and you-- have demanded it.

After relentless pressure by Mumia's legal and medical team, Mumia was finally given a blood test for Hepatitis C. On Saturday August 1, Mumia received information from the prison that his Hepatitis C has an active viral load.

Mumia's independent physicians believe the Hepatitis C could be the cause of Mumia's debilitating open wounds and severe skin rash. The prison has been aware that Mumia was Hepatitis C positive since 2012-- yet they refused to test and treat him for this chronic and potentially fatal condition.

Prison officials and the DOC are categorically denying Mumia medical treatment by refusing to conduct the necessary tests to treat Hepatitis C.

Today Mumia's attorneys Bret Grote of the Abolitionist Law Center and co-counsel Robert Boyle of New York brought this case of medical neglect to court.

Now, we're calling on you to join us to bring Mumia back to full health.

What We Need

We need to raise $42,000 quickly to get Mumia immediate treatment.

Right now, every dollar you give will make it possible to:

File the amended lawsuit 'Abu-Jamal v. Kerestes' to include medical neglect, and demand that the PA Department of Corrections is accountable to conducting diagnostic testing and perusing an effective treatment plan.

Get Mumia a full Hepatitis C work up and treatment. New Hep. C treatments have a 95% cure rate: one pill per day for 8-12 weeks.

Demand immediate access to Zinc supplements and topical medicationProtopic for pain relief and exposed wounds, as recommended by Mumia's consulting doctors. Zinc has been denied, and Protopic has been withdrawn for unstated reasons.

Secure Mumia's constitutional right to access to the courts and counsel, especially while hospitalized

Grant Mumia's consulting physicians access to conduct a thorough exam in a medical environment. While we have succeeded in opening phone communication between Mumia and his physician, it is now time for his physician to direct and advise treating doctors at both the prison Infirmary and outside hospitals, as well as being able to communicate with Mumia in person.

Fuel a public campaign to bring Mumia back to health. Activism and direct action will be key to getting Mumia and all Pennsylvania prisoners critical care for Hepatitis C. It is the only way to move forward on the path that leads to freedom.

Support the demand for Hepatitis C treatment for all Pennsylvania prisoners. See the class action lawsuit.

The Pennsylvania DOC's denial of care is a violation of Mumia's and all prisoners' human rights. That's why we're asking you to stand with Mumia today.

Please give $50, $100, $1,000 or even $25 today.

After You Donate, Take Action

Calling every day can turn the tide. After you give, please take five minutes to demand medical treatment for Mumia

John Wetzel, PA Secretary of Corrections [phone]

Governor Tom Wolf [phone]

John Kerestes, Superintendent SCI Mahanoy [phone] ext. 8102

Click here for more contact information and resources.

Stay updated on Mumia's health & treatment by visiting this campaign (bit.ly/fight4mumia), as well as Prison Radio's facebook and website

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Mumia Abu-Jamal was once again taken to hospital outside SCI Mahanoy; held incommunicado from family, attorneys and doctor. We need to act now!

Political prisoner and internationally renowned journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal has once again been taken from the prison infirmary at SCI Mahanoy in Frackville, Pa.; this time to Geisinger Medical Center in Dansville, Pa. about three hours from Philadelphia.

Having received no phone calls from Mumia, including on Mother’s Day when he always calls, Mumia’s spouse, Wadiya Jamal, called the prison infirmary on Tues., May 12 and learned of the transfer.  Since then Mumia has been out of communication with his immediate family and doctor, despite the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections’ obligation and agreement to keep Mrs. Jamal informed of his medical condition.

State regulations also prohibit prison officials from blocking attorney’s access to their clients; however, visits by his attorneys have also been denied.

On Wed., May 13 Wadiya was told that immediate family visitation was approved by Superintendent John Kerestes and the DOC.  This was confirmed by Laura Neal of the DOC Legal Counsel’s office.

Wadiya prepared to visit Mumia at the hospital on May 13; however she was then told by Neal that Geisinger Hospital would not permit the visit because Mumia was not in critical condition and the hospital has a policy of not allowing visits to prisoners.

Mumia’s family and attorneys have been given conflicting reports that updates on his medical condition were released to authorities at SCI Mahanoy.  Wadiya was told repeatedly by medical officials at SCI Mahanoy that no medical updates were given to them.  However Donald Zaycosky, Litigation Counsel at Geisinger told Rachel Wolkenstein, an attorney representing Wadiya Jamal, that a medical update had been provided to infirmary doctors on Thurs., May 14.

Wolkenstein reported that on Fri., May 15, Zaycosky stated that under the circumstances an exception could be made to the hospital’s “no visitors” policy.  He explicitly stated that Geisinger did not object to phone calls or family or legal visitation, but wanted to make sure it was okay with the DOC.

On May 15 at 9:30 a.m., Wolkenstein forwarded Zaycosky her correspondence with Laura Neal that stated the DOC approved family visitation.  Since then, despite phone calls and emails, there has been no communication from either the prison infirmary or the hospital regarding either medical updates on Mumia’s condition or to confirm or deny family visitations.

Mumia’s family, attorneys and supporters are extremely worried about his current medical condition and alarmed that he is being held incommunicado while his spouse, legal counsel and his private doctor are being denied any access to him.

When Mumia was first rushed to the emergency room this March in diabetic shock, a global network of supporters sprang into action to inundate phone lines of prison and hospital officials demanding that they allow visitation from his family and attorneys. ONCE AGAIN IT’S TIME TO ACTIVATE THAT SUPPORT.

Just last week supporters delivered a letter to Pennsylvania Governor, Tom Wolf, calling on him to release Mumia’s from prison in order to get the proper medical care he needs.  It was signed by numerous world dignitaries, including South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Minister Louis Farrakhan; New York Congressperson Charles Rangel; Executive Vice President of Local 1199 SEIU, Estela Vasquez; actor Danny Glover; writer Alice Walker and many more. (See attached letter) A significant press conference was also held in Harlem on April 30.

Please call the officials below to demand:

Unrestricted hospital visitations by Mumia’s family

Demand access for his attorneys

Let Mumia call family, supporters and doctors

Stop state’s attempt to murder Mumia by medical mistreatment

Release Mumia from prison to be able to obtain needed health care.

DOC Secretary John Wetzel - 717-728-2573;  [email protected]

PA Gov. Tom Wolf –717-787-2500; fax: [phone]; [email protected]

Geisinger Medical Center – 570-271-6211

Note:  The hospital has Mumia on a "confidential" list so the operators will say they have no one named Mumia Abu-Jamal or Wesley Cook at the hospital. People should tell the operator that their call should be reported to the hospital administration.

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Emergency update on Mumia Abu-Jamal

Dateline May 13th 2015: Philadelphia, PA

A SCI Mahanoy prison nurse called Wadiya Jamal Mumia's wife at 8:50 pm last night May 12th and told her that Mumia had been moved to the hospital. This is a disturbing development and is cause for grave concern. There are reports that he had a fever, and that he has open wounds and sores on his legs. HIs attorney Bret Grote visited him on Friday. He was engaged, alert, yet he was in pain in his knees and leg.

We will be working to gather more information as the day goes on. His hospital conditions will be abhorrent: he will be chained to the bed. He could, as they did before, be arbitrarily and systematically denied visitors. The last time we were in the ICU they did not let his familly or lawyers see him, or give them any information for 24hrs. Even though they were the ICU waiting room just a few feet from Mumia's bed..

Clearly Mumia's chronic conditions remain undiagnosed and unsuccessfully treated. Mumia was given a skin biopsy on Monday of this week, and had been in the infirmary following that procedure.

Mumia's legal team of Bret Grote of the Abolitionist Law Center, has been augmented with the addition of attorney Bob Boyle. Mumia's doctor has been speaking directly with Mumia, even though the time he has been allowed for the phone in the infirmary was limited. There is no phone at the hospital. Mumia's expert medical team has been advising Mumia on the tests and the medications that have been done. This advice has been critical, and is now not possible.

As we noted in our last update oversight and close monitoring of any tests, especially the diagnostic tests are crucial. The prison is preventing Mumia and Mumia's doctors from adequate oversight and input. Because communication is being limited by prison officials Mumia does not have access quickly enough to information he needs to advocate for his own care. We are clear that Inadequate testing, delays, and any deviation from the medically necessary course of treatment, will be challenged.

Obtaining a diagnosis is of paramount importance at this moment.

Mumia remains seriously ill. Public pressure has been key every step of the way, and remains extremely important. Please keep up the calls, emails and faxes. Demand that (1) Adequate diagnostic testing be done (2) That Mumia's doctor is able to communicate freely and regularly with the prison infirmary physicians who are delivering Mumia's medical care (3) His doctor has meaningful and regular phone access with Mumia. (There are no phones in the hospital, in the infirmary, his calls are limited to 15 mins and and he has limited access to the day room where the phones are). (4) And allow Mumia's chosen doctor to conduct an onsite medical examination. And as many have said, it is past time for Mumia to be released from prison. 

Noelle Hanrahan, P.I. Director Prison Radio

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Mumia Abu-Jamal’s medical crisis

Emergency news conference on May 7, 2015, urging essential medical care and humanitarian release of political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal.

Suzanne Ross as MC, with Jamal Joseph, NYS Senator Bill Perkins, Juliette Seydi, NYS Assemblymember Charles Barron, Estelle Vasquez, Dr Joseph Harris MD, Noelle Hanrahan, Cornel West, Larry Holmes, and Pam Africa. At Madiba Restaurant in Harlem, NYC.

 Video by Joe Friendly