Rashid Johnson, the Minister of Defense of the Revolutionary Intercommunal Black Panther Party, was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, as detailed in his article here.  Listen to Comrade Garlic share updates on Rashid on this episode of Revolutionary Left Radio.

As per an update from Comrade Shupavu wa Kirima, General Secretary of the RIBPP, on July 31, 2022, Rashid developed new symptoms that demand immediate attention, as detailed below:

"Ap2p, comrades. I spoke with Comrade Rashid this morning and it is evident that we need to get back on the prison officials' asses. He is experiencing extreme swelling in both of his legs that extends to the ankles and feet, with the left side being the most severely swollen. He is unable to bend his leg at the knee and unable to walk or bear weight on it. This has resulted in him not being able to leave his cell for exercise or meals in addition to the pain and discomfort.

We are uncertain what the cause is. He has the cancer but was also recently prescribed an antibiotic for a UTI that was left untreated for 11 days and he could be having a severe allergic reaction to it or it could be a blood infection due to the untreated UTI. This could also explain the blood in his urine.

Medical personnel at the prison are refusing to see or treat him. He was able to run into the warden who agreed that something was wrong and sent him to medical but the nurses gave him Tylenol and sent him away. This is an emergency situation and he needs to be sent back to the hospital immediately for diagnosis and treatment.

We are asking that comrades again take to the phones and emails to DEMAND IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION. Please use the contact info below. As always thank you for the love and support.

All Power To The People!
Protect Our Leaders, Defend Our People!"

On August 17, 2022, Comrade Shupavu shared another update on Rashid:

"Ap2p, comrades. I know that it is late but I've just spoken with Comrade Rashid and wanted to give everyone a heads up.

Basically, he had a 9am appointment to meet with the radiologist but the pigs played games and did not get him to the hospital until 10 am. Upon arriving Rashid was told that since he was late he could not see the radiologist and the appointment would have to be rescheduled.

It has taken nearly a month to get him in to see the radiologist and now this will slow the process down even more. Keep in mind that once Rashid has seen the radiologist then another appointment will have to be made for him to see the oncologist to decide on a plan of treatment.Keep in mind that once Rashid has seen the radiologist then another appointment will have to be made for him to see the oncologist to decide on a plan of treatment.Then another appointment scheduled for either the surgery or the radiation treatment. At this point we can all clearly see what is going on.

Rashid's legs and ankles are still swollen and he is having trouble walking. Nothing has changed. One of the nurses even remarked that it must not be that bad since they saw him limping on it. But the fact is he has no choice.

We are asking that calls and emails resume demanding that the appropriate measures be taken to get him treatment immediately! At this point it will be another six months if we don't intervene to demand change!"

On September 1, 2022, Comrade Shupavu shared an update:

"Ap2p! Nottoway Correctional Center and the Virginia Department of Corrections are still stalling on getting Comrade Rashid urgent cancer treatment. The radiologist's appointment that the staff had caused him to miss several weeks ago has still NOT been rescheduled. Rashid still has untreated and possibly metastasized prostate cancer and the mystery condition affecting his kidneys, which is causing painful swelling in his legs and feet. To compound these issues, the prison administration is now retaliating against Rashid for seeking outside support to help shine a light on his medical neglect.

They are using a c.o. by the name of Lt. B. Sapp to threaten and harass Rashid. This "officer" has given Rashid a total of 5 write ups in just a few days for things as petty as not tucking in a shirt. He has attempted to provoke Rashid by addressing him with the N word and telling him that he would make something up to give him a reason to lock Rashid up or engage him in a physical altercation. This racist Lt. B. Sapp is a longtime stooge for the administration and makes a habit of attacking black and muslim prisoners. He has even violated the PREA (Prison R*pe Elimination Act) multiple times, one after beating a handcuffed African prisoner and strip searching him in front of female guards. Prison staff's violations of PREA are to result in IMMEDIATE termination. The assistant warden has even admitted that "Sapp is a problem", yet they have avoided properly handling Sapp by simply transferring his victims between facilities as opposed to the required termination.

We have grown weary of the excuses, neglect, and abuse of our comrade and are demanding the following:

• The best possible treatment must begin now. His radiology appointment must be rescheduled and completed NOW. No obstacle must be allowed to cause further delay.
• Immediate removal of all retaliatory write ups against Rashid.
• An Immediate investigation into Lt. Sapp's abuses that results in his termination, NOT ANOTHER TRANSFER."

Another update from Comrade Shupavu on September 17, 2022:
"When sending emails please do not copy and paste anymore. The health admin told Rashid that she has been getting the emails and can tell that they have just been copied and pasted. She said that she is not moved at all by them and insinuated that we must not be that serious about him. We know that that is just a pig mind game to demoralize Rashid and us and it won't work."

Please join us in the struggle to meet these demands.

Who To Contact:

Kyle Rosch, VA Interstate Compact Administrator: Kyle.rosch@vadoc.virginia.gov (804) 887-8404

Harold Clarke, Director of Corrections: Director.Clarke@vadoc.virginia.gov (804) 674-3000

Joseph Walters, Dep. Director of Corrections: Joseph.walters@vadoc.virginia.gov (804) 887-7982.

Clint Davis, Warden Nottoway Correctional Center: clint.davis@vadoc.virginia.gov (434) 767-2908

VADOC Director of Health Services Steve Herrick, 804-887-8118, steve.herrick@vadoc.virginia.gov and healthservicesinquiries@vadoc.virginia.gov and ruth.smith@vadoc.virginia.gov