George’s CALL TO ACTION letter is below.
Today, 3rd June, 2013, George Rolph was banned from Facebook, without reason. He is in Day 14 of his Hunger Strike, which he is doing for others going through what he has had to endure, whilst also trying to get the general public to wake up to what is happening to the most vulnerable people in the United Kingdom, a country which once cared for those who are vulnerable, sick and disabled.
He will not stop this Hunger Strike until the British Government and ATOS stop their persecution of the Sick, the Disabled, the Poor, the Carers, the Unemployed, even if it means he has to die in doing so.
Please, share his story, and please note that the government, have been pushed, albeit unwillingly, by the public’s reaction, and have now reinstated the benefits due to George, but he remains on Hunger Strike until this horror stops, for so many have already been driven to take their own lives. Many have died because they are ill and cannot cope with the strain of the “revolving door” process and the dreadful uncertainty about their future: having the money they need to survive taken from them, being told they have to work when they are too ill, repeated assessments and appeals, all just months apart. It’s a constant ordeal. It is wicked persecution and bullying of the worst kind, and directed at our most vulnerable citizens.
***URGENT NOTICE***
To the people across the UK and the World, please read and hear UK Hunger Striker George Rolph’s call to action, read publicly at St. George’s Hall, Liverpool, June 1st, 2013!
Today is Day 13 of George’s Hunger Strike and he asks “Will You Fight With Me?”
And we must fight.
George Rolph
We all know about the growing disconnect in this country between those who claim to lead us and the people they want to lead. We have all seen the ever more intrusive nature of government poking into our daily lives. Right now you are on cameras that are watching you closely. Give them a wave and a cheer. We have witnessed the awful corruption going on, both here in the UK, and in the EU.
We have sat and gasped as politicians have openly led us into illegal wars in other lands. All of these things and much more than I have mentioned here leave us feeling soiled as a people. As if we have been dragged unwillingly in some perverts private party. It feels like our land is not our land any more. It has been stolen from us and we are just drones who keep it all ticking over so others can benefit from your labours, while you get fed in drips and drabs, the little bits that fall from the table. We watch as the London Mayor and other politicians take our money to build huge expensive projects, so they can strut around looking proud and having massive ego trips in front of the cameras.
Yet, in the midst of this financial splurging, we see the same people hammering the poorest and most vulnerable people in the land. Energy prices are zooming through the roof. That drives all prices up. Yet, at the same time, benefits for the poor are either cut or done away with. A new bedroom tax is imposed which is making people homeless or causing massive problems for people who have to find the money in the face of shrinking income. Make no mistake. This is not accidental. The politicians know EXACTLY what they are doing and they are following a script, the details of which they have hidden from us, but which they are feeding to us a little at a time. Did you notice, for example, that just before the new welfare reforms for the sick and disabled were announced, the media had a propaganda blitz on people faking sickness to scrounge dole money? It is called social psychology and you and I are the targets of it.
When those reforms came in I went happily to the ATOS assessment interviews, because I had nothing to hide. I was sick. I was not scrounging anything. I needed help, that is all. Three times I passed. Three times I answered the same questions the same way and passed unfit to work. On the forth time, despite the questions and answers being the same, they took all of my benefits away. Someone, to meet a target set by government, decided to ignore the other three assessment reports and single me out for another kind of treatment. The imposition of total poverty! I knew what was coming to me then, but I was too shocked to think about it.
No money to pay rent. No money to pay gas or electricity bills. No money to pay council tax demands. No money to pay the phone bill. No money to buy clothes. No money to buy food. I was facing bailiffs, eviction, hunger and homelessness at 60 years of age. I knew I would not live long on the streets. I knew they were condemning me to certain death. I only had two things left. My dignity and my fighting spirit. I decided to fight back! I decided I would not just tug my forelock and accept my fate as I backed away from my “masters” in government. I decided I did not like the idea of being their serf! I decided to use what they had planned for me, against them.
If they wanted me dead OK. I would die, but I would do it exposing them for what they are, and I would do it for all the other sick and disabled people they had already driven to suicide, despair or were about to hurt. I went on hunger strike. I went on Facebook and I began to yell the place down. People began to come and see what all the noise was about. At first a few. Then more. Then more. Then more. I have told them NOT to copy me but to fight with me. I have told them the same truth I am going to tell you now. THIS LAND DOES NOT BELONG TO THE POLITICIANS AND NEITHER DO YOUR LIVES. THIS LAND IS YOURS AND YOUR LIVES ARE YOURS TOO. NO ONE OWNS YOU. NO ONE HAS A RIGHT TO ABUSE AND MANIPULATE YOU THROUGH SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OR ECONOMIC TERRORISM.
There is however an even deeper truth and it is simply this: YOU, ARE WHERE THE REAL POWER LIES and if you will stand together as one, you can make those politicians that are hurting and killing our people in the name of ideology or profit, back into the public servants they really are. STAND TALL. STAND PROUD. STAND STRONG. You do not need to be violent. You only need to be united. Tell these corrupted, ruthless and vile politicians that you DEMAND your country back. You DEMAND that they take care of our weakest. You DEMAND they withdraw their poverty creating taxes. I am willing to give my life to help those who cannot help themselves.
Not because I am special. Or a hero. Or because I want to be famous, but because I have a heart that bleeds for them and I cannot bear what these vermin in Westminster and beyond are doing to our nation. WE MUST STOP ATOS AND WE MUST DO IT FAST. Don’t let them fool you. You do not need to gain power. YOU ARE THE POWER UNDER GOD IN THIS LAND. WILL YOU HELP ME TO FIGHT FOR YOU BY FIGHTING BESIDE ME? God bless you all. Look me up on Facebook and lets get to work.”
George Rolph 6-1-2013 Alteri serviens consumor – “In serving others, I myself destroy:”
Today, 3rd June, 2013, George Rolph was banned from Facebook, unofficially and without reason. He is in Day 14 of his Hunger Strike, which he is doing for others going through what he has had to endure, whilst also trying to get the general public to wake up to what is happening to the most vulnerable people in the United Kingdom, a country which once cared for all those less fortunate than ourselves. We once celebrated the achievements of people with disability, but we are no longer a civilised society that values the equal worth of all of its citizens. Because of our Government and its policies.
Our government has organised and directed hate speech in our media – propaganda – that is a sustained psychic attack on sick and disabled people, and to attempt to”justify” taking away money for their basic survival needs. The Equality and Human Rights Parliamentary Committee have expressed grave concerns about the subsequent rise in hate crimes directed towards sick and disabled people because of media “distortions”. (Let’s be honest, that means “lies”.) What kind of government would do such brutal and terrible things?
ATOS assessment starts on the day of your appointment with the Health Care Professional (HCP) reading the form you completed when you applied for benefit. Every single question you are asked is designed to justify ending your claim for your support and passing you as “fit for work”. That is what Atos are contracted to do by the Government. No matter how sic and disabled you are. This is not a genuine assessment, but rather, an opportunity for the DWP to take away the financial support that you are entitled to. Atos is contracted by the government to take benefit from 7 out of 8 of us. How can that be a fair assessment, when those targets exist prior to our having an assessment?
Since the Welfare “Reforms” Bill was passed, almost 11,000 deaths have happened as a consequence. Last year, a friend and fellow campaigner, Karen Sherlock, tragically died because of the strain she was placed under when ATOS ruled her to be fit for work, and she lost her disability benefit. She was very ill, and even though she won her appeal, the constant struggle and fight were just too much for her, as is the case for so many. It really is a “revolving door” – a brief respite, then bleak hardship, fear, pain, despair and desperation. Over and over again.
Owen Jones raised her death, amongst others, with Iain Duncan Smith on Question Time. Iain Duncan Smith IGNORED what Owen said, spoke over over him, disrespectfully raised his voice and uttered that he was PROUD of his reforms. No concern, inquiry or even acknowledgement of those deaths from our Government.
George will not stop this Hunger Strike until the British Government and ATOS stop their Persecution of the Sick, the Disabled, the Poor, the Carers, the Unemployed, even if it means he has to die in doing so.
This must stop. The persecution and deaths must stop.
Please share his story. Let’s show that censorship always achieves the opposite of what the censor intends.
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I’ve posted about George’s plight and linked back to your post here: http://wearenotyourslaves.wordpress.com/2013/06/04/deeds-not-words-support-the-atosdwp-hunger-striker/ I noted that today is the 100th anniversary of Emily Davison stepping out in front of the king’s horse in the cause of votes for women. Her epitaph, “Deeds not Words”, struck me as particularly apt here. I have not seen one single mainstream media story about George’s campaign, what an utter disgrace. Thank you for bringing his story to wider attention and I’ve already shared your blog post on social media.
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Reblogged this on Kevs' Blog and commented:
I am REVULSED, REPULSED, & DISGUSTED. 😦 😦 😦
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Hi
Thank You for Following my Blog back, MUCH Appreciated. 🙂
Best Wishes 🙂
Kev. 🙂
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Yes, we have to unite Kevin, stand strong, and work together. And we are, we will. And we MUST. We are living in strange and frightening times. That demands the extraordinary from ordinary people like us, if we are to survive.
Blessings, love and many thanks to everyone for sharing George’s story. The world knows about George’s plight, and it’s all down to you. Keep strong, keep faith, and keep your courage, because together we can make a positive difference and we CAN change the world, for we are many, and those that bring us ruin, greed, selfishness, corruption and darkness are few. And they know nothing about what it is to be human, and the strength and preciousness of being that. We reach out to each other here, our hands across the Oceans, and we circle the earth. Whilst they, the damned, live within the paltry confines of their cardboard cut-out egos.
They are genuine Harre tick-box criteria, fully certifiable psychopaths. Incapable of empathy, compassion, remorse, and love. Each psychopath believes that the universe is theirs, and theirs alone. That the universe is here just for them. Well we’ve got some news on THAT assumption.
That darkness called fascism was brought about by a handful of evil, greedy, corrupt creatures that only speak the language of money.They know nothing at all of importance and cannot speak about what it is to be human, to empathise, understand, to relate, to love, to care, to share and to be genuinely alive and responsive to others. We do. We know. That is our strength and power. It really is infinite.
Evil is “that which moves against the tide of evolution” – Dion Fortune.
But we are turning, this growing and powerful tide that is us. We are that tide, and it is the tide of the NATURAL order of all things – the tide of all that is worthwhile, important, meaningful, good – the tide that is evolution, the tide of human kindness, and the inevitable,unstoppable tide of shining recognition of others, love and wholesome appreciation of the intrinsic value and worth of each and every precious life.
“To remain silent and indifferent is the greatest sin of all” – Elie Wiesel
Yours in solidarity,
Kitty x
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Go George sticking up for the people who can’t do it for themselves thank you , know you are cared for and supported linda
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Reblogged this on .
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Does anyone know what is going on with George?
He must be seriously ill by this stage, surely someone must know what’s going on?
I’ve been contacted by various areas of the media who wish to talk to George, they get no answer from the number he supplied?
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I have passed this message on to George Via his facebook account in a personal message.
There’s a link to his Facebook page on the article
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Reblogged this on Sarah Deane and commented:
Reblog: This is the saddest thing I’ve read in a long time. It’s heartbreaking, truly. If you have the time, please read and share. Sometimes I feel very lucky to be British compared to what some other nationalities have to endure, but right now I’ve never been more ashamed.
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I still want to know why Facebook are so concerned with this. George is a BRITISH citizen…….. Face Book are an AMERICAN company!! They should keep their noses out of our business!!!
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Shared. On Facebook. Peace. Friede.
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great for you. . this is a good man striking out.
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WHAT a great man to be standing up for what he thinks is right. RIGHT ON George im with you. im one of the people who is ill… Gud for you. mate. Your doing well.. hugs. xxxx
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http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/the-house-of-commons-permit-a-debate-on-the-hunger-striker-george-rolph?utm_campaign=share_button_action_box&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition
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Yes, thanks Nick, it’s also linked on the article
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Very sad but what was actually wrong with George?
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I am full of admiration for you, sir
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told all news providers worldwide
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Thank you Hazel x
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unfortunately the tories do not care if you die george. they are very rich hot headed power hungry dictators that despise anyone who’s poor, jobless or ill and your protest wont cause them to change their nasty policy. surely it would be better to bring up a case in court, for those that have died already and those that have to suffer the never ending harassment from atos and the dwp? i do believe there is a case to answer if a policy goes badly wrong like this one did.
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Thanks George, Kitty and everyone else for raising awareness. I suffer chronic pain and find it extremely difficult to do anything. I have written to my MP, (Steve Webb) many times, posted links on Facebook and emailed my petition to everyone i know to no avail. I sincerely hope they stop this genocide soon.
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/david-cameron-urgently-investigate-atos
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A request for an e-petition for a Parliamentary debate on George’s action has been refuse. I have started a petition on an alternative site and it is slowly attracting signatures. Please follow this link and sign the Petition. Also spread the word, get others to sign. It has no legal status and can be ignored by Parliament, but it may highlight the matter.
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/the-house-of-commons-permit-a-debate-on-the-hunger-striker-george-rolph?utm_campaign=share_button_action_box&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition
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I was wondering if anyone out there might be able to start a petition on Avaaz.org? I think Avaaz reaches a lot of people – I may be wrong – but I think more than Change.org. (Not criticizing Change.org have signed numerous petitions there too – I just basically think whatever means and all means to try and find justice).
In fact there are a number of things Kitty writes about here I think would be amazing if someone could translate into an Avaaz petition. I have tried to order my thoughts about how to do one but I have problems with doing that which is why I mention it here, in the hope someone with the relevant skills for that kind of thing could start a petition that relates to the Welfare cuts issues George Rolph is trying to draw attention to, and also the Legal Aid issue.
It would need to be a condensed history of what has happened with Welfare and Legal Aid and a list of statistics – liie a condensed version of what Kitty talks about on this site. Nt sure where the petition should be delivered either. I just keep thinking about this but don’t know where to start to start a petition on Avaaz.org basically.
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The truth is out, George the real story.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=469376036483879&id=366849226736561&from_feed=1&__user=823168781
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Many of us have been fighting against the injustices and misery that this government have inflicted on the most vulnerable citizens for a long time before George decided to go on hunger strike. There are many of us fighting hard, with disability and illness, and many brave campaigners amongst us. Many of us have supported George, because he shared our aims of highlighting those gross injustices, misery and pain that our government have designed via policies which contravene our human rights.
However, I was never comfortable with George’s hunger strike, and more recently, I have to say that I have also witnessed comments he made that are very right wing, misogynistic and homophobic. I had also noticed he does not acknowledge the work of other activists, and that had also added to my feelings of unease previously. Most of our community of campaigners offer mutual support and we acknowledge the efforts and work of others. George didn’t.
At the time I published this work, I felt that George’s plight needed sharing, he was willing to publicise events in his life, and because he is not the only person who has been on hunger strike due to gross mistreatment by Atos – my friend Christos also went on hunger strike for the same reasons last year, I published George’s commentary about his experiences with Atos. Many others have died, or suffered horribly, without any publicity or acknowledgement at all. But I have written about those deaths and the situation many of us have faced, too, and I shall continue to do so.
Whatever the truths are about George, for me it is upwards and onwards, as ever. I shall be campaigning all the same, regardless of George’s character, or opinions of George’s character. Atos are still contracted to pass 7 put of 8 of us as “fit for work”, regardless of how ill we are, and people are still suffering and dying. Our government is still an authoritarian one. We must continue to fight and challenge, and without distraction.
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Kittysjones, sadistic not just authoritarian. Brilliant that you have been highlighting many other people’s suffering but it is almost always inevitable that one or two test cases or specific cases will get more press attention than others on account of lack of forces on the ground to do the legwork…U have obviously been a force-extraordinaire. Anyways, when a man has misogynistic, homophobic ideas, it says more about them than those his words oppress: in this case, people had to get the essential info out there: somebody was willing to die a nasty death in order to bring attention to nasty government welfare reforms;fullstop. Thanks for all U do
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