“Hepatitis Gets a Knock Out Punch.”
Just a few hours ago, I placed a call to my civil lawyer, Bret Grote of the Pittsburgh-based Abolitionist Center. I could hear the excitement in his voice, then he told me that we had won the Abu-Jamal v. the Wetzel case, and the judge, judge Robert Mariani, granted our motion for a preliminary injunction, ordering healthcare staff to cease their unconstitutional protocol and begin treatment of my hepatitis infection with direct-acting antiviral medications. It was good to hear and good to win.
I thought of the good hard work by Bret and attorney Bob Boyle. I thought of the many people who filled the courtroom because of the organizing prowess of sister Pam Africa, Dr. Suzanne Ross, Dr. Johanna Fernandez, and others who made it happen.
I thought of Dr. Joseph Harris, MD who, as an expert witness, hushed the courtroom by his medical explanations which made scientific arguments so clear that anyone could understand.
And I thought of thousands of prisoners in Pennsylvania suffering from the ravages of hepatitis C and now who have hope.
I thought of the prisoners who suffered from hepatitis C and died from this infection as their liver failed to function. They did not live long enough to see this day.
From imprisoned nation, this is Mumia Abu-Jamal.
