VIGIL TO MOURN THE LOSS OF MS. ESMIN ELIZABETH GREEN AND CONDEMN
VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS
July 25, 2008 VIGIL and Demonstration – Kings County Hospital
Center, Building G, New York, USA
Please POST/ Forward
WE THE PEOPLE
Contact: Lauren J. Tenney, MA, MPA, Psychiatric Survivor FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Cell: 516-319-4295
e-mail: lauren@theopalproject.org
website: http://www.theopalproject.org
http://tinyurl.com/green-vigil
WE THE PEOPLE Call for an End of Abuse, Torture, and Neglect in the
Wake of Ms. Green’s Death While Detained at Kings County Hospital
Center’s Psychiatric Emergency Room.
Advocates, human rights activists, and community members are holding
a vigil and demonstration to mourn the death of Ms. Esmin Elizabeth
Green. WE the PEOPLE are calling attention to the reported horrific
inactions and complete neglect that Ms. Green was subjected to while
detained at the Kings County Hospital Center’s Psychiatric Emergency
Room, 451 Clarkson Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11203.
According to the Associated Press, after being involuntarily
committed to the institution, Ms. Green sat waiting for a bed to
become available for nearly 24 hours before she collapsed on to the
floor. She lay there helpless for nearly an hour until she received
medical attention, which came too late[i]. Further, according to the
New York Civil Liberties Union, facility staff possibly falsified
documents, stating that Ms. Green was “up and went to the bathroom”
and was “‘sitting quietly in the waiting room’ – more than 10 minutes
after she last moved”[ii]. The surveillance tape shown on CNN Video
portrays Ms. Green dying on the floor as people pass her by[iii]. In
fact, on the Internet, one can find a mass of comment on this tragedy
by individuals all over the world – a question repeatedly asked,
“Where is the humanity?”
All people must be treated with dignity, humanity, and respect. We
must not tolerate violations of human rights that individuals who are
assigned psychiatric labels often endure.
We ask you, wouldn’t you be depressed and possibly even ‘agitated’ if
you were going to lose your home and employment? Reportedly, this is
what led to Ms. Green’s commitment[iv]. Any one of us could be
labeled with a psychiatric diagnosis and subjected to inhumane
‘treatment’ if we are thought to be ‘agitated’, particularly if we
are poor.
How many more people labeled with “mental illness” will be subjected
to torture and neglect before something is done to protect human
rights within psychiatric systems? David Oaks, Executive Director of
MindFreedom International states, “I encourage us all to reflect on
the need for a deep nonviolent revolution in the field of mental
health, far beyond the “reforms” that have gotten us to where we are
today, with televised death via neglect of a mother of six”.
In 1875, a New York Times article cites abuses of inmates at the
Kings County Asylum, spurred by Mr. Nelson Magee, a former inmate.
Then-Commissioner Norris reacts to the investigation, “This sort of
thing is very common among lunatics; they are always imagining
themselves in great danger of being killed by their keepers”v. How
many more centuries have to go by before action is taken to end these
abuses and neglect?
WE the PEOPLE stand for change. We have been abused by the
psychiatric system. Our brothers and sisters continue to be abused
and murdered, as evidenced by Ms. Green’s untimely demise. Massive
human rights violations happen every day in psychiatric institutions
but this horrific inaction was captured on videotape. We will call
attention to the every day tortures committed in the name of
psychiatric “help” including diagnosing life’s challenges as
”illness,” forced pharmaceuticals, restraint, seclusion, and
electric shock treatment (ECT) with a Vigil to honor Ms. Green’s
memory beginning at 2 PM.
There are many questions as to what led to Ms. Green’s death. Was it
in any way related to the toxic and debilitating drugs that people
labeled with “mental illness” are intimidated, coerced, and forced
into taking? A thorough investigation is necessary to determine the
extent of the torture, ill treatment and other human rights
violations involved in this case and in the practices of the
institution as a whole. We must stand united to demand social
justice, equal rights, and environments free from torture and detention.
On July 25, 2008, we invite all people to join us and stand united in
support of the demand that everyone receive the full benefit of their
human rights and the preservation of their liberty, dignity and respect.
Who: All People.
What: Candle Light Vigil to mourn the loss of Ms. Esmin Elizabeth
Green and condemn violations of human rights.
Why: WE THE PEOPLE call for an end of abuse, torture, and neglect in
the wake of Ms. Green’s Death on June 19, 2008, while detained at
Kings County Hospital Center’s Psychiatric Emergency Room.
Where: Kings County Hospital Center, Psychiatric Emergency Room,
Building G. 606 Winthrop Street Brooklyn, NY 11203
Date: July 25, 2008
Time: 5 PM – 10 PM, Candle Light Vigil, 8:30 PM
We welcome your involvement as an organizational co-sponsor or an
individual endorser of this effort. If you would like to speak at
this event, please contact us.
WE THE PEOPLE
###
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Contact: Lauren J. Tenney
Cell: 516-319-4295
e-mail: lauren@theopalproject.org
website: http://www.theopalproject.org
Contact: David W. Oaks, Director, MindFreedom Phone: 541-345-9106
e-mail: office@mindfreedom.org
website: http://www.mindfreedom.org
http://tinyurl.com/green-vigil
REFERENCES
[i] Retrieved July 8, 2008 from http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/
H/HOSPITAL_WARD_DEATH?SITE=OHRAV&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
[ii] Retrieved July 8, 2008 from http://www.nyclu.org/node/1876
[iii] Retrieved on July 8, 2008 from http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/07/01/
waiting.room.death/index.html
[iv] Retrieved July 8, 2008, from http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/07/03/
hospital.woman.death/index.html
[v] Retrieved July 9, 2008 from http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-
free/pdf?res=9F00E6D8103CE63ABC4851DFBE66838E669FDE
http://tinyurl.com/green-vigil
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Urgent action: Please forward to all appropriate places on and off
Internet, especially to concerned people and groups in New York State.
—
More:
Mad Pride
MindFreedom International News – 14 July 2008
Nonviolent Revolution in Mental Health!
Mad Pride 2008 Skyrocketing!
Mad Pride has been growing fast! Below are just a few of the Mad
Pride events this month in many nations.
Coverage in the Sunday New York Times, international events that draw
thousands of participants (Thank you, MindFreedom Ireland!), and the
skyrocketing enthusiasm of Mad Pride organizers, all point to the
great strides taken by this movement over the last six months. Mad
Pride celebrates the human rights to be different, and promotes human
rights in mental health.
According to MindFreedom’s calendar of events, the second half of
2008 will see this trend continue.
Here is a brief look into a few Mad Pride 2008 events:
UNITED STATES:
This weekend, from July 11 – 13, 2008 at the Country Fair in Eugene,
Oregon, you can visit the “Doors of Expression” booth and uncover Mad
Pride at this famous, annual event.
Mental Patients Liberation Alliance holds 28th Annual Bastille Days
Demonstration, “HELP Stop Psychiatric Oppression.” from July 11 – 14,
Albany, New York.
CANADA:
From July 14 – 20, Toronto will celebrate Mad Pride Week, including
their second annual bed push.
Through July 14, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Gallery Gachet is
holding panel discussions, performances, readings and film events to
celebrate “World Mad Pride.”
AFRICA:
On July 14, MindFreedom Ghana is holding its third annual Mad Pride
event! This year’s slogan: “UNITED AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN
MENTAL HEALTH”
On July 17, in Cape Town, South Africa, there will be a Mad Pride
Parade followed by a celebration and music.
UNITED KINGDOM:
On July 16, in Leeds, West Yorkshire, there will be music, poetry and
more, celebrating Mad Pride.
Bonkersfest 2008 will be held on July 19, in London. This is probably
the largest Mad Pride event in the UK (Last year it drew three
thousand participants!) and will be held at the site of the infamous
Bedlam Hospital.
For updates and more, visit our Mad Pride Campaign page:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/campaign/madpride
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ACTION: Please forward this Mad Pride News to all of your mad and mad-
friendly friends, relatives and colleagues!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mad Pride = United Strength in Numbers = You!
JOIN OR RENEW EARLY IN MINDFREEDOM INTERNATIONAL!
http://www.mindfreedom.org/join-donate
* Win human rights campaigns in mental health.
* End abuse by the psychiatric drug industry.
* Support self-determination of psychiatric survivors.
* Promote safe, humane, effective options in mental health.
* Show your MAD PRIDE!
Join here:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/join-donate
MindFreedom is a nonprofit human rights group that unites 100 sponsor
and affiliate groups with individual members.
MindFreedom is one of the very few totally independent activist
groups in the mental health field with no funding from governments,
drug companies, religions, corporations, or the mental health system.
MindFreedom is the only group of its kind accredited by the United
Nations (NGO Consultative Roster Status).
All human rights supporters are invited to join MFI by donating here:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/join-donate
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MindFreedom International Office:
454 Willamette, Suite 216 – POB 11284; Eugene, OR 97440-3484 USA
web site: http://www.mindfreedom.org
e-mail: office(at)mindfreedom(dot)org
MFI office phone: (541) 345-9106
MFI member services toll free: 1-877-MAD-PRIDe or 1-877-623-7743 fax:
(541) 345-3737
Please forward!
moon soup 