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July 22 – On this date in 1946, “A violent Jewish right-wing underground movement in Palestine, the Irgun Zvai Leumi, blew up a wing of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, killing 91 soldiers and civilians.” From Britannica.com’s On This Day feature.

An Urgent Appeal to Support Rashid

Kevin “Rashid” Johnson, the prisoner journalist and activist who courageously broke the story of the self-immolations at Virginia’s Red Onion supermax prison, is now being held in solitary confinement at the Perry Correctional Institution in South Carolina. He was transferred there on May 1 in apparent retaliation for exposing the horrific conditions at Red Onion.

Rashid reports that he is suffering from serious health problems and a lack of adequate medical care.

The following information is from Elizabeth Tang, an abolitionist organizer who is in touch with Rashid:

• “The prison treated Rashid’s broken tooth by pulling it. His lymph nodes and face are now swollen, but he’s unsure if the swelling is from the pulled tooth or a possible infection.

• “The prison has not treated the dental abscess in his other tooth, as they falsely signed a document claiming he refused treatment for it. There is a nearby dentist that could possibly do a root canal to treat the abscess, but he will need to get both the dentist’s and prison’s approval, and it will cost about $3,000 (excluding transportation to/from the prison).

• “Rashid continues to have no access to his phone, tablet, or the canteen.”

Rashid had been held in solitary confinement, then was released to general population, but as of July 22 is back in solitary, according to Kevin Jeans, a prisoner advocate with the UPROAR prisoner support organization.

Folks able to donate for outside dental care for Rashid can send money via Venmo, PayPal or CashApp (@elizabethxutang).

Elizabeth Tang says that Rashid is also asking supporters to call and email Virginia and South Carolina prison officials demanding they expedite the approval process for outside dental care, “as he continues to worry the abscess will spread to other parts of the body and cause sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis, which can lead to death.”

Note: Reference Kevin “Rashid” Johnson – #397279

South Carolina officials:

Curtis Warley, Warden, Perry Correctional Institution: Earley.curtis@doc.sc.gov

Joel Anderson – Interim Director, Department of Corrections: S.C.anderson.Joel@doc.sc.gov

Leigh LeMoine – Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration, Office of the Governor: S.C.LLemoine@governor.sc.gov

Jamie Fergeli – Senior Special Agent, Office of Inspector General: S.C.JamieFergeli@oig.sc.gov

More contact information for prison officials can be found at UPROAR, here. More information about Rashid can be found on his website, here.

Condemn Israel’s Ongoing Genocide in Gaza!

Richmond-area residents have been gathering every Friday from 8-9 am and 5-6 pm at the intersection of Broad and Belvidere to protest the ongoing genocide being committed by the Israeli government against the people of Gaza. There is a lot of good work being done by many organizations to support the Palestinian people in this time of their great need. This is one way that anyone can add their voice. Please consider joining!

Wed., July 23: VCU Palestinian Student Activist to be on ‘Democracy Now’

Sereen Haddad and her father Tariq Haddad will be guests on “Democracy Now” this Wednesday, July 23, at 8:10 am, to talk about Gaza, university protests and Sereen’s situation with Virginia Commonwealth University. In Richmond, tune in to WRIR-LP at 97.3 FM or anywhere online at wrir.org.

You can also view the full story here at Democracy Now.