I have written a book on the politics of autism policy. Building on this research, this blog offers insights, analysis, and facts about recent events. If you have advice, tips, or comments, please get in touch with me at jpitney@cmc.edu
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Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Protesting Torture
A previous post included video of outright torture at the Judge Rotenberg Center in Massachusetts. The Canton Patch is carrying a press release:
Occupy JRC will hold a peaceful protest against the Judge Rotenberg Center, scheduled for Saturday, June 2 from 12pm to 4pm. Location to be announced.
The Judge Rotenberg Center is the only place in the country to use aversives, including remotely controlled, painful electric skin shocks to change behavior in children with autism, developmental delays and/or psychiatric diagnoses.
The school has survived a move from Rhode Island to Massachusetts, multiple lawsuits, and the forced resignation of its founder and former Director, Matthew Israel. Most recently, the Judge Rotenberg Center hit the airwaves on a national level when the facility was required to release previously suppressed videotapes of former student, Andre McCollins being restrained face down for over seven hours and shocked 31 times after he refused to take off his jacket.
Occupy JRC will host the protest in Canton, time and place to be announced, and plans to include a march as a part of the day’s events.
Several speakers have been scheduled including Massachusetts Senator Brian A. Joyce, Cheryl McCollins (mother of former student, Andre McCollins), Dan Fisher (National Empowerment Center), Ari Ne’eman (Autistic Self-Advocacy Network), Laurie Ahern (Disability Rights International), Kat Whitehead (Community Alliance for the Ethical Treatment of Youth), Stephen Mark Shore (Adelphi University) and more.
