NARSOL chair urges, “Support Moose Lake protesters and civil commitment protests.”
By Paul Shannon . . . How can NARSOL support the courageous men on hunger strike at the draconian Moose Lake civil commitment facility in Minnesota? How can we show solidarity with their 70 supporters who did a car caravan around the facility several weeks ago – and who on July 18 held an amazing public rally at the state capitol?
They spoke to the indignities and hardships of the 737 men who have served their sentences but were thrown into civil commitment on the basis that they might commit a new crime in the future. Some of them have been re-imprisoned for many decades.
We heard of the grandfather who will likely die at Moose Lake before he will ever get to see his grandchild, who is not allowed to visit him because he is a minor. We heard of the men who are too old to walk or who have to use wheelchairs. We learned of the absurd restrictions on contact with lawyers and on making telephone calls. We learned that there is basically no treatment available because it is assumed almost all the men will die there. According to one participant, a common reaction among the guards when a man dies in these facilities is, “Another one completed treatment.”
And this is the most painful part of this nightmare experience: There is virtually no way out, no matter what you do. There is no hope of ever being released. For most, the only way out of this “preventive detention” is death.
During the rally Mr. Daniel Larsen was spliced in to the rally by phone from inside Moose Lake. He told the story of being originally incarcerated when he was 15 and being civilly committed ever since – even though he was never convicted of any crime but was judged “likely to offend.”
It was announced at the July 18 rally that the 40 men on hunger strike were urged to end it before they suffered irreparable harm. But two continued fasting anyways, causing great concern among supporters.
NARSOL joins with these incarcerated men and their courageous grassroots supporters in their demand to end civil commitment in Minnesota. We will follow the situation as it develops. For now, we urge all NARSOL members, no matter what state you live in, to consider contacting the governor of Minnesota and implore that he issue an executive order to shut-down preventive detention in Minnesota.
You can contact Governor Tim Walz using this email form:
https://mn.gov/governor/contact/
Or you can call the governor’s office at 651-201-3400
Better yet you can write to Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan at this address:
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
You can read about the hunger strike at https://www.redlakenationnews.com/story/2021/07/13/news/hunger-strike-takes-toll-on-detainees-at-minnesota-treatment-center-for-sex-offenders/99262.html
And you can view the video of the July 18 rally at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EGjcg9piHg
” There is no hope of ever being released. For most, the only way out of this “preventive detention” is death.”
I feel the same about the registry. However, according to FAC, even in death we live on, on the registry.
Having said that, I would rather be somewhat free and on the registry that locked up with no release possible after serving my time. Remember they are doing the same thing to the detainees at
Guantanamo bay. Not saying I support terrorist, but why spend money on keeping people locked up forever without a trial? Send them back to their country so our tax dollars can be used for something else.
Prayers for those at Moose Lake. BTW that would make a great movie to open eyes “Hell is real-The Moose Lake story”
My letter to the Governor has been sent. It is so easy when you include the online link. Thank you!
How is civil commitment justified by the courts and state?
Bej
The same way this Florida Sheriff just declared himself above the law and the supreme power while in his county. He states in his reply that no one in the Nation has authority over him while he is inside the county he runs as a “Constitutional Sheriff”.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/constitutional-sheriff-wayne-ivey-says-he-s-a-patriot-others-see-something-more-menacing/ar-AAMqKgY?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531
That sounds a lot like Volusia and Flagler Counties’ Sheriff Chitwood and Staley. The hostility and negativity makes it difficult to move forward and be positive. The only way forward I guess, is to fall back on living one day at a time.
BWJ
It stated in the article there were several sheriff’s in the state they were concerned about also declaring themselves this. I am pretty sure I can name about 4 of them. I won’t in fear of my house be raided under false pretenses. Last time I challenged the FDLE in court and one, their wrath fell upon me hard.
I re-read the story I posted and this part I must have missed (even though I read the entire story)
This is scary and why we have so many issues on the registry
“Simply put, they say, sheriffs are the ultimate authority on what is and what is not constitutional, allowing them to interpret and implement the law as they see fit.”
So basically the courts, the Governor, the president nor Congress can override the decision of a Sheriff’s while in their own county? According of course to the likes of Wayne Ivy AKA Sheriff of Brevard county.
I think I will declare myself the supreme being of my house. I hereby declare on this day that I am no longer on the registry. And so be it, and it is so………….
I missed the mention that Sheriff Staley appears to be a supporter of the Constitutional Sheriffs. Disheartening and terrifying. Thank you Cherokee for sharing.
BWJ
No problem my friend
Keeping people locked up in a “ hospital for treatment” for a crime have committed is beyond insane. Why are only sex offenses treated this way? Aren’t kids victimized by assault, burglary, drugs, gang and gun violence, carjacking and other crimes; so why aren’t those individuals looked up for treatment? Why not lock everyone up for something they might do? Start with politicians, lobbyists and law enforcement because of the lack of accountability on their part of society gone mad.
Sent my letter to Minnesota’s Governor and was surprised when my relatives and friends went to the protests.
While I hate to say this but everybody has to have high hopes or can a little ole ant move a rubber tree plant. Sure we all have just and unjust laws in America. Nothing wrong with a letter even to the warden of that State or to the Governor about these abusive laws that seem to trap men long after there prison sentences. One wonders who’s wearing the mask today even in prison reform.
Even NARSOL is good in giving support and letting others know that they are not alone in much of this abuse. Sure at times people want to give up, go on hunger strikes or are degraded in many ways. Sure everyone should write a letter. Why not start on one tonight even people need pen pals to help brighten up one’s life. Its Christian and moral isn’t it or what is immoral today?
It would be great if NARSOL did more than these safe at home campaigns. A NARSOL rep (who lives in St Paul, no less) was supposed to speak at last Sunday’s rally but was a no-show. But I was there and WAR was there to offer our assistance. That’s a missed opportunity for NARSOL!
Moose Lake is the modern day Minnesota State Mental Hospital where experiments were done on patients. It was wrong and unjust then as it is now. A free society doesn’t lock one up just for a slim possibility a person commits future crimes. Our country’s philosophy is if you can make money ethics be damned!!