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PAUL HENRI THOMAS IS FREE
HIS RESISTANCE TO FORCED ELECTROSHOCK INSPIRED HUNDREDS TO SPEAK OUT
This morning, Paul Henri Thomas left Pilgrim State Psychiatric Center and entered his new home -- a community residential facility.
While not settled yet in his home, Paul is at last free... Free from more forced electroshock, free from more than two years of captivity in Pilgrim Psychiatric Center.
Paul is a long-time activist with the psychiatric survivor social change movement. When he said "no" to the forced electroshock he was receiving, his resistance led to hundreds of people speaking out in a seven-month campaign.
Support Coalition International helped break the silence and reach the public. His advocate in the facility -- Anne Krauss -- felt so strongly about the issue that she quit her job (and now works for NARPA, see http://www.NARPA.org). Many other groups, advocates, citizens and his expert attorneys -- Dennis Feld and Kiim Darrow -- fought long and hard for Paul's freedom. Radio personality Gary Null backed Paul, and helped organize a 433-person protest. Advocates met with Paul, and stayed in touch with him.
Eventually, the New York State Assembly held public hearings, and the media provided extensive coverage of Paul and forced electroshock. Several bills regulating forced electroshock are now being considered by the NY State Assembly.
Today, Paul phoned Support Coalition International's office to thank the many members who fought for his freedom. Paul is now in a State Operated Community Residence (SOCR) and is looking forward to his own residence some day soon.
Paul said, "God bless." He said he will celebrate.
In other good news, "Adam S." has received a stay from the courts, giving him reprieve from further forced electroshock for now.
For a recap of the battle against forced electroshock in New York State see:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/mindfreedom/paul.shtml
Support Coalition International
454 Willamette, Suite 216
PO Box 11284
Eugene, OR 97440-3484 USA
general info: office@MindFreedom.org
web: http://www.MindFreedom.org
phone: (541) 345-9106
toll free in USA: 1-877-MAD-PRIDE
fax: (541) 345-3737
Support Coalition International is a non-profit federation of 100 grassroots groups united to win human rights and humane alternatives for people labeled with mental disabilities.