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Anthony Swain is fighting for his life. Paralyzed from the waist down with a degenerative disease, he has now tested positive for COVID19. He has been caged w/ a $645,000 bond for a drug charge for 4 YEARS without a trial. It’s time for him to come home:
We met Anthony when he helped us file a federal lawsuit [ http://communityjusticeproject.com/metrowestlawsuit] with @cjpmiami, @advancementproject, and @civilrights corps to release as many people as possible and comply with basic CDC reqs, even knowing he would face retaliation.
![We met Anthony when he helped us file a federal lawsuit [ http://communityjusticeproject.com/metrowestlawsuit] with @cjpmiami, @advancementproject, and @civilrights corps to release as many people as possible and comply with basic CDC reqs, even knowing he would face retaliation.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EYZBzAGX0AIjToG.jpg "We met Anthony when he helped us file a federal lawsuit [ http://communityjusticeproject.com/metrowestlawsuit] with @cjpmiami, @advancementproject, and @civilrights corps to release as many people as possible and comply with basic CDC reqs, even knowing he would face retaliation.")
“Corrections treats us like we are the scum of the earth, like we don’t deserve protection.” Ppl in his cell had a 103 fever, but Corrections didn't move them or test him. For protection, he made a mask out of his sock & a string from his catheter bag. https://bit.ly/2yfDChg
When he filed the lawsuit, there were 0 confirmed cases in the jail. A couple days later, the judge ordered Corrections to provide soap, masks, and disinfectant, and urged local electeds to lower the jail population.
Less than 3 weeks later, as the jail fiercely fought against providing soap & disinfectant, the number jumped to 163. https://www.newsweek.com/were-not-angry-paul-manafort-was-released-were-angry-millions-others-werent-opinion-1504766
That same day, 51 y/o Charles Hobbs died from COVID-19 complications. As his parents said to press weeks earlier, "My son has witnessed any number of people die in front of him in jail before CV19. How many will die in front of him now?"
Despite the cost of inaction [163 infections + 1 death], MDCR appealed the order. In a cruel opinion, an appeals court ruled that *the jail* would be "irreparably injured" if required to provide soap & disinfectant."
Days later, Anthony was rushed to the hospital unable to breathe. The next morning, he tested positive for coronavirus. After a couple days, he was returned back to the jail. https://twitter.com/ScottHech/status/1262396079951265792
He is now in a 6’ by 9’ cage, on lockdown. The 1st night, ants ate through his skin. He was then moved to another cage... #FreeAnthony
This time, there was no accessible toilet for him to use. MDCR told him to defecate on himself. He sat in his own feces for 7 hours on Sunday. He couldn't shower because Corrections was using the handicapped shower for storage. #FreeAnthony
His lawyers filed an emergency motion for his release. MDCR says he is lying. Yet, his lawyers have a recording of Anthony pleading: "I'm just trying to ask you to help me w/ the bare minimum so I don't have to shit on myself."
The judge refused to make a decision. She said she “hopes” Corrections looks into it. And said she “hopes” the state court judge will hear his motion.
Anthony has no other options. He needs $85,000 for his bond & his medical care when he comes home. We helped his family set up a GoFundMe account: https://www.gofundme.com/f/bring-anthony-home-now. All we have is us! We keep us safe! We can do this! #FreeAnthony #Freetheblock #Endmoneybail
