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Kevin “Rashid” Johnson, a native of Richmond, is a politically conscious prisoner, author, poet and artist who is courageously and uncompromisingly challenging the Virginia Department of Corrections in a struggle that could cost him his life.
Rashid’s attorneys have filed a motion for a preliminary injunction concerning the retaliation he has suffered for his political outspokenness. An emergency hearing on the motion has been set for 9 a.m. Monday, March 11, in Judge Henry Hudson’s courtroom in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 701 E. Broad St. in Richmond. The Virginia Defenders are calling on everyone concerned about Prison Justice to come out for this hearing.
Rashid has been a leader in the hunger strike started by prisoners Dec. 26 at the Red Onion Supermax prison in rural Wise County. The main issue has been the continued use of long-term solitary confinement in Virginia’s prisons. Rashid has also been demanding that he be kept at a prison near Richmond in order to have access to proper medical care for his advanced prostate cancer and heart problems.
As his health has further deteriorated due to his not eating, he has been transferred to the Powhatan Medical Center closer to Richmond, but has been told that if and when he ends the hunger strike he’ll be shipped back to Red Onion.
Rashid basically is being told that he can starve himself to death at Powhatan, or be transferred back to Red Onion, where he could die from medical neglect. So far, he has refused to be forced into making that no-win decision.
Come out to the court hearing. Support Rashid and all the prisoners in the Red Onion hunger strike. Show the prison authorities that the men, women and children behind bars have the support of the community. Demand an end to solitary confinement and all other injustices in the Virginia prison system. AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL!
Note: Cell phones, pocket knives and certain other items are not allowed in the courthouse.
For background information on Rashid and the Red Onion hunger strike, see the current edition of The Virginia Defender (https://virginiadefender.org)
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