NEWS WRAP-UP: Freedom in Mental Health  - 6 Sept. 2003
 http://www.MindFreedom.org    * * * please forward! * * *
 
         DAY 22:
 
         END OF FAST FOR FREEDOM IN MENTAL HEALTH.
 
         Final Hunger Strikers Have a Mushroom Omelette Today.
 
         They Call for A Congressional Investigation of Psychiatric
         Drug Industry "Influence and Corruption."
 
 statement by http://www.MindFreedom.org
 
 PASADENA, CALIF.: With a mushroom omelette, the last
 core hunger strikers in the Fast for Freedom in Mental
 Health ended their fast today, on Day 22, Saturday,
 6 September 2003. Some solidarity hunger strikers may or
 may not continue their hunger strikes on an individual basis.
 
 "We are so lucky to be part of this event," said David Oaks,
 director of MindFreedom Support Coalition International,
 which sponsored the Fast for Freedom in Mental Health.
 "I am so honored to watch so many people unite and move
 from patients... to passion. This is the future of our movement."
 
 Here is a direct link to a "commencement" statement
 issued yesterday, Day 21, by Mickey Weinberg, one of the
 organizers of the fast. He thanks supporters, and
 discusses the many victories, successes and challenges.
 
 http://www.mindfreedom.org/mindfreedom/hungerstrike51.shtml
 
 Certainly, one victory is the historic response by the
 Scientific Panel to the letter by James Scully, APA
 Medical Director, to the hunger strikers. The APA,
 NAMI and Surgeon General have all chosen to remain
 silent about the contents of this statement. See why, here:
 
 http://www.mindfreedom.org/mindfreedom/hungerstrike19.shtml
 
 What's the next step? The hunger strikers agree that,
 given the ultimate "stonewalling" by key leaders in
 the psychiatric industry, one crucial follow-up is a
 campaign to demand that Congress investigate
 psychiatric drug industry influence and corruption in
 the mental health system, especially through
 "non-profit front groups."
 
 MindFreedom is independently funded. You are
 encouraged to join MindFreedom and donate, to help
 cover the costs of the hunger strike, and keep the
 momentum going toward building a stronger and more
 effective social change coalition. Click to join/donate:
 
 http://www.mindfreedom.org/join.shtml
 
 Thanks to everyone who cheered on, helped out and
 applied civil pressure on behalf of the hunger strike.
 And thank you to Romi, Vince and Mickey, and all the
 two dozen hunger strikers, both in Pasadena and
 internationally. You have truly moved a movement.