The Austin Chronicle has the story about Hazel Obey‘s funeral, featuring a eulogy by Jesse Jackson, Sr.
"Obey spearheaded a task force to aid the integration of [Austin schools], helped start the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, and spoke out in concern about Austin Police use-of-force policies and apparent disparate treatment of minorities in the wake of the June 2003 shooting death of 20-year-old Jesse Lee Owens, her great nephew."
Dear Friends:
I have just returned from a trip to Springfield, Missouri, where I visited with Ramsey. He is continuing to regain his strength, and has begun
recalling eleven years of pain and suffering in Leavenworth, due to a lack of medical attention.
Enclosed is a letter recently sent to the warden at the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners. Know that a report from Dr. Pete Garcia was attached to the letter.
****************************************
April 7, 2006
Mr. Robert McFadden, Warden
United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners
1900 West Sunshine
Springfield, MO 65807
Re: Ramiro R. Muniz #40288-115
Dear Mr. McFadden:
I write this letter on behalf of my husband and myself, and our families. As you are aware, my husband, Ramiro R. Muniz, was recently sent to the United
States Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri as a result of a serious life threatening illness. Prior to his transfer to Springfield, he was at the United States
Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas, a maximum-security prison.
Enclosed is a letter and medical report written in 1995 by Dr. Pete Garcia, Orthopedic Surgeon in Corpus Christi, Texas. This report was sent to the Warden
at the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth to describe my husband’s poor health. Mr. Muniz suffers from a herniated disc and knee injuries. Dr. Garcia
indicated that he was in need of surgery to avoid the pain from this condition. Although the letter and report were sent in 1995, records will show that Mr. Muniz was denied medical treatment for those injuries. He went through great pain and suffering
for eleven years.
While at the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth in 1996, Mr. Muniz suffered a serious fall and hurt his hip. The pain endured was excruciating, and in his
injured condition he had to walk in the snow to make an appointment with medical staff and again to receive a medical examination. Leavenworth records
will reflect that Mr. Muniz was never sent to the U.S. Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri.
Instead, he was given aspirin and Motrin. He endured great pain and suffering for a serious hip injury, and now requires a cane for walking.
Today Mr. Muniz is housed in the United States Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri as a result of complications from a life threatening surgery
performed in August of 2005. While at Springfield he has begun recalling the trauma experienced from being denied medical treatment at Leavenworth for extremely painful injuries.
I am trying to understand why my husband had to endure great suffering for eleven years. He suffers from a herniated disc, injured knees, a
deteriorated hip, and he is 63 years old. He went through great pain and suffering even though
records will show that he is a peaceful man. He had no incident reports throughout the eleven years that he was at Leavenworth.
We are aware that my husband’s hip has deteriorated and requires replacement if he is to walk without the assistance of a cane. We ask that you allow him
time before undergoing hip replacement surgery. This time will allow him to recuperate from the mental
and emotional trauma experienced through the recent life threatening surgery, and help him gain strength that he has lost from being on a liquid diet for over six
months.
Perhaps surgery for his knees can precede his hip surgery. If this is possible, then please consider this option. Understand that hip surgery is not being
avoided. We merely ask for time in which to recuperate from the trauma of his last surgery.
Many congressmen support our efforts to seek humanitarian support for a man who has suffered greatly, in spite of the fact that he has been a model
prisoner for the past eleven years. The staff at Leavenworth was well aware of his good conduct, yet
did nothing to help him lower his security level.
My husband is in no condition to be placed in a penitentiary. This move would pose a threat to his life considering his poor health, which has worsened
from being denied medical treatment. If Mr. Muniz does not receive assistance from the Bureau of Prisons, we want to know why. Our families, friends, congressmen and supporters await your response.
Thank you for any assistance that you can provide.
Sincerely,
Irma Muniz
cc:
Mr. Michael K. Nalley, Regional Director
North Central Region Bureau of Prisons
Gateway Complex Tower II, 8th Floor
4th and State Street
Kansas City, KS 66101-2492
913-621-3939
Fax: 913-551-1130
Mr. Michael Junk, Designator
North Central Region Bureau of Prisons
Gateway Complex Tower II, 8th Floor
4th and State Street
Kansas City, KS 66101-2492
913-621-3939
The Honorable John Cornyn
United States Senator
517 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-2934
The Honorable Ken Salazar
United States Senator
2300 15th Street Suite 450
Denver, CO 80202
202-224-5852
The Honorable Solomon P. Ortiz
United States Congressman
3649 Leopard Street
Corpus Christi, TX 78408
361-883-5868
The Honorable Ruben Hinojosa
United States Congressman
107 South St. Mary’s Street
Beeville, TX 78102
361-358-8400
The Honorable Henry Cuellar
United States Congressman
1149 E. Commerce
San Antonio, TX 78205
210-271-2851
The Honorable Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa
Texas State Senator
2821 SPID Suite 291
Corpus Christi, TX 78415
361-225-1200
The Honorable Lloyd Doggett
United States Congressman
300 East 8th St., #763
Federal Building
Austin, TX 78701
512-916-5921
Ms. Michelle M. Law
Attorney at Law
Springfield, MO
Mr. Orlando Narvaez
Attorney at Law
Corpus Christi, TX
Mr. Dan Alfaro
Attorney at Law
Corpus Christi, TX
Mr. Albert Huerta
Attorney at Law
Corpus Christi, TX
Mr. Dick DeGuerin
Attorney at Law
Houston, TX
Mr. Joe Ortiz
National Civil Rights Director
American GI Forum
Corpus Christi, TX
Mr. Manuel Gonzalez
Civil Rights Chairman
League of United Latin American Citizens
Corpus Christi, TX
Mr. Nelson Linder
NAACP
Austin, TX
Ms. Ruth Epstein
American Civil Liberties Union
Austin, TX
Please visit freeramsey.com for background information on the incarceration of Ramsey Muniz.
By Katie at Houston IndyMedia
She was arrested on Mon evening, 5th of Dec at Houston & transferred to Victoria late afternoon on Fri the 9th. In all that time, she was never brought before a judge. She was unable to call her attorney because the phones wouldn’t work. Jail authority’s response to her complaint about the phones was met with “it’s not our problem”. She was constantly moved from one cold detention block to another. And the worst part, subjected to humiliating and dehumanizing treatment by the female jailors. I had already heard about some of it from her sister and phoned her lawyer to take legal action against the prison. He was unwilling to do anything until he got the facts directly from her. He also seemed to think that this was something that could wait until after she got out. Diane’s response was, “That was the most outrageous thing that’s ever happened to me in prison. And I’ve been arrested dozens of times, I should know! I’ve a sense now of how people in concentration camps must have felt…stripped of their dignity & treated like animals. And these were people who have just been picked off the streets on traffic violations, maybe suspicion of a misdemeanor…they have not been charged or indicted or even brought before a judge! How can these people be expected to go back into the world with anything less than hate and disgust for cops?!” She most certainly wants to file a complaint but she prefers not having to go through the debasing details with the attorney. She requested that I write it and mail it to her for her approval. Meanwhile, she will call the attorney and ask him to assist me in pursuing the matter. Need I say that I am having a traumatic time writing it? I brought her to speed on her attorney’s fruitless negotiations so far, with the sheriff & the DA, to cut down her sentence by one-third. Her response was, “I want to start this fast like thing for change…for world peace.” I couldn’t help but groan! On the occasion of Christmas, she thought it would be good idea to begin meditating on various issues such as the war in Iraq, bringing the troops home, justice for Bhopal & the environmental tragedy plaguing her Bay and the conditions in prisons such as the one she was held at in Houston. “They’re all connected and I want to do something about all of them.” Kind of like “meditating on the human condition” I said. She shook her head vigorously and flashed that famous grin. She assured me that she would not announce it as a fast or a hunger strike to the authorities. “It will be like a religious thing. The authorities won’t mind that sort of action ‘cos it’s non-confrontational…passive. ” She would just stop consuming whatever little solid food she was on. Just stay on water, Kool Aid and coffee. I explained that it would tough to publicise it or raise any support until after New Year’s. She didn’t seem to care about that. She was more interested in discussing meditation techniques. We had recently begun exploring Vipassna for her since I have been practicing for some years and we happened to meet a wonderful Vipassna-Zen teacher at Bioneers. Someone who wanted to help me take my practice to the next level and teach Diane in a manner that would prepare her for prison. I’ve added a couple of relevant titles to her book list.
Like many, many others, I knew Coretta Scott King, and I considered her
a mentor. In her memory, I will carry on best as I know how. My
favorite anecdote: the day she exclaimed to a working group of staff,
"We are not going to behave like any corporation!" And truly, we
never did. Bless your soul, Mrs. King. We’ll be thinking of you often.–gm
After a spate of attention from right-wing readers pushed our income tax poll in the negative direction–against income tax for schools–it appears that more liberal readers have been staggering in lately. The poll is now tied at 65 votes apiece. Maybe it was the influence of old John Stuart Mill, a classic liberal voice that we referenced here a few days ago?
Texas Civil Rights Review 