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From: Jim Gottstein <jim.gottstein@psychrights.org> Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2024 12:59 PM To: mpowell@ncta.com Cc: schak.kate@mayo.org; Farrugia.gianrico@mayo.edu;
jim.gottstein@psychrights.org; Jeremy.Olson@startribune.com; 'David Russell' Subject: Please Stop the Mayo Clinic from Electroshocking David
Russell Against his Will Dear
Mr. Powell, This
is to bring to your attention the despicable actions of the Mayo Clinic in
going back on their word not to electroshock David Russell against his
will. After having told Mr. Russell they were not going to electroshock
him several weeks ago after having gone to court to get an order allowing it,
around 2:00 pm today, June 12th, he was informed they are going to start
electroshocking him against his will tomorrow. My experience is people
are normally electroshocked in the morning. It is probably too late
to stop this first electroshocking, but it is normally done multiple times and
the court order allows up to 30. I am imploring you to stop Mayo from
Electroshocking David Russell. They
wouldn't answer any of his questions, such as how many times they plan to
electroshock him, what they expect to accomplish, or even why they decided to
subject him to electroshock when they had previously informed him they had
decided against it. David suspects it is because he has been telling them
about the corruption he has knowledge of. Even if David is incorrect
about that, it is no justification for electroshocking him. Contrary
to the marketing of the electroshock industry, electroshock is very harmful
with virtually no benefits to the patient. See the information on the Electroshock
page of the Law Project for Psychiatric Rights (PsychRights) website. The January
24, 2011, PsychRights letter to the Food and Drug Administration is a good
summary. Electroshock,
however, does have benefits for staff and other people because it tends to shut
the patients up or otherwise disable them. In fact, Mr. Russell witnessed
another patient being electroshocked to the point where he couldn’t even talk
and even needed help eating. Mr. Russell is terrified. The
United Nations has concluded Electroshock can constitute torture in violation
of International Law. See, UN Human Rights Council. (19 June 2020). “Mental Health and Human
Rights: Resolution 43/13 Adopted 19 June 2020.” A/HRC/RES/43/13. Geneva:
United Nations; UN Human Rights Council. (20 Mar 2020). Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment: Report of the Special Rapporteur.
A/HRC/43/49. Geneva: United Nations; Méndez, Juan E. (4 Mar 2013). “Statement
By Mr. Juan E Méndez, Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment, 22nd Session of the Human Rights Council of
the United Nations.” Geneva: United Nations. See also the related Report of the Special
Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment, Juan E. Méndez (2013), A/HRC/22/53. Geneva: United Nations. You
are no doubt chair of the Mayo Board of Trustees because you believe it is
helping people and want to further that service. That is not true in this
case. Again, I implore you to intercede and stop the electroshocking of
David Russell against his will. Do you want to be associated with an
organization that is perpetrating torture? Sincerely, Jim Gottstein (301) 987-4466 (Direct) (301) 363-9248 (Main Office) Author of The Zyprexa Papers
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