With over 100,000 signatures on the Change.org petition, and multiple media outlets and politicians getting involved, there was finally a breakthrough in Osime Brown’s case.
Instead of being transferred from the prison to a detention center, Osime’s attorneys were able to make the case that his autism diagnosis and heart condition leave him too vulnerable to be placed in a detention center. At least for now, Osime is going home to his family!
The Fight Continues
The deportation order still stands. With only weeks until the deportation trial, our effort to stop the deportation of Osime Brown becomes more critical.
A Bittersweet Reunion
For Osime and his family, six years of suffering and trauma have separated them. This week, they will finally be reunited under one roof. For this, Osime and his embattled family are grateful, but the safety and respite they should be feeling will not be within their grasp.
Osime’s mother, Joan Martin, has cried ten lifetimes of tears over the poor treatment of Osime, even before he was taken from her home. He was not understood in school and was punished for his disability, and she fought a full ten years to get a diagnosis for him.
Until the deportation order is stopped, none of them will be able to begin the long and difficult uphill climb to recover from the trauma of the racism, torture, and oppression they have all had to confront in their advocacy for Osime’s human rights.
We need to all rally behind Osime and his family, continue to let them know that they do not have to fight this battle alone, and let the Home Office know that Black Autistic Lives Matter.
Action Item for Tuesday, October 6: Tweet Storm
Today, we can celebrate this victory that the activism of the autistic community and our allies is working, but we’re not finished until the deportation order is stopped.
Further, this process has been an expensive one. Osime was only a teen when removed from his family. He will need to build a life from scratch and will need extensive medical and therapeutic care. His reentry will require much support and will be a steep learning curve.
If you’re able, please consider donating to the family’s GoFundMe.
Independent article:
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3 Responses
In the independant article near the end the prison spokesperson says: ‘all prisoners have access to healthcare’ and i’m here like: ‘healthcare does not mean mental healthcare.’
This is wonderful news.
I imagine there are still difficult times ahead for their family, though. Six years? That’s going to be a lot for him to recover from. I hope he and his family get appropriate support so he can lead his best life.
Heartening to hear about the progress in Osimes case but the fight is far from over. Lets unite to amplify the message that Black Autistic Lives Matter and work towards dismantling the systemic issues that perpetuate such injustices.
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