Happy Juneteenth everyone!
While we celebrate the official end of slavery in the former Confederate states (which led to the legal end of slavery in ALL U.S. states and territories later, thanks to the 13th Amendment) and the progress of African-American communities in the US since 1865, we must continue to liberate black people everywhere and work towards a vibrant, equitable, and more just future for black people.
That includes black autistic people. Like Matthew Rushin.
The details are graphic so I will leave a link that goes into detail about his case later.
Nevertheless, black autistic, neurodivergent, Deaf, and disabled people are constantly targeted by law enforcement and are subjected to state violence by law enforcement. In fact, between 1/3 and half of the police violence cases covered in media involve victims who have a disability or lived experience with mental health. And though I don’t have the statistics with me at this moment, I am certain that most of the cases in the media are connected to race and disability in some form. People like Sandra Bland, Korryn Gaines, Quintonio LaGrier, Laquan McDonald, Eric Garner, Jamycheal Mitchell, and other disabled/Deaf/neurodivergent black people.
Add Matthew Rushin to the list. He is currently in jail for nothing, besides for his autism, neurodivergence, and blackness. Even the people involved in the car cash said that it was an accident, but the police still locked him up. Rushin did not commit murder.
It’s time for the black community and allies to liberate ALL black people. Especially black people with disabilities and lived experiences with mental health.
Let’s start with freeing Matthew Rushin!
You can do the following things to help:
Read and share his story: https://neuroclastic.com/2020/06/12/matthew-rushin-and-the-injustice-system-the-worst-nightmare-of-every-parent-of-an-autistic/?fbclid=IwAR0ybv7rH3HMuLT1YXFsfjpPQRpboCLz8ARsr08a85oFbnAUceRFrafUCQY
Follow the Free Matthew Rushin Facebook like page and learn more about how to help or which information to share to your circles: https://www.facebook.com/FreeMatthewRushin/
Sign and share the petition, encouraging Virginia Governor Ralph Northam to pardon Matthew Rushin: http://chng.it/Wp26CMrtxc
Donate or share the legal fund page: https://ca.gofundme.com/f/SAVING-MATTHEW-RUSHIN?fbclid=IwAR3jRLGLfYpMMgFoMmHbpgzEY2wo5xPJfhK_FCN2uK0fxzqRcXIl_EJONXY
For more information or more ways to help, visit the following link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BOBuQeLbHTMs3DvykRK6WaqmcC0US7_NAKaa1uuc7e4/edit?fbclid=IwAR0JkmPmMU62BYOsV7y9FdQgQzxeFsiUYW2N-HFPyqkOabC7LA_8e6yav8A
Thank you,
Timotheus
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