The Plight Of Grand Grasp Jay Is Now Each Medical & Political

Rapper/producer Grand Grasp Jay, the previous chief of the Not F### ing Round Coalition (NFAC), was sentenced to seven years and two months in jail in 2022.

The scenario involving Grand Grasp Jay— actual identify Dr. John F. Johnson—is a fancy and controversial one. Johnson’s sentence by a Louisville, Kentucky choose stems from an incident wherein he was accused of pointing his rifle at Louisville metro law enforcement officials throughout a rally. The rally, held by the NFAC, came about the evening earlier than the 2020 Kentucky Derby and was in protest of Breonna Taylor’s homicide. Taylor was tragically killed by police in her residence throughout a no-knock raid.

Johnson denied ever threatening officers, a notion in keeping with his modus operandi of obeying the legal guidelines of the land. He asserted that his actions had been in response to a perceived menace from youngsters on a roof, however his protection didn’t resonate in the course of the trial. Moreover, the viral assist that took over social media, YouTube and different platforms appeared to dissipate as rapidly because it materialized displaying how fickle sideline observers might be.

Nonetheless, Johnson stays, though he’s in federal jail.

“I’m alive and respiratory and I’m capable of rely my fingers and my toes and I’m dwelling by means of day by day, so I suppose I might say I’m all proper,” he tells AllHipHop from FCI Ashland Federal in Kentucky.

The NFAC and Johnson have quieted tremendously within the aftermath of the chief’s incarceration. In a earlier interview with AllHipHop, Johnson stated his supporters had been in “sleep mode.” The all-Black militia was based by Johnson within the wake of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery’s hunt-and-murder, however they adopted the legislation constantly of their battle for racial justice and police reform. However, being unbowed can create new plights and that’s the place Johnson is now.

Johnson’s new ordeal started in April 2023, when medical workers on the Bureau of Prisons (B.O.P.) detected alarming indicators in his well being: an irregular heartbeat, skyrocketing blood stress and excessive ldl cholesterol. Subsequent assessments at a civilian medical middle between June and August 2023 uncovered a quickly deteriorating coronary heart situation, stroke-level blood stress and an erratic coronary heart rhythm. Opposite to preliminary beliefs, they weren’t pre-existing situations.

He explains precisely what he went by means of when cardiologists projected a life expectancy of 24 months final yr.

“Again in April, I used to be recognized with having a cardiological situation that solely gave me 24 months to stay, so there was no method I might end this sentence, so the Bureau of Prisons started taking steps to appropriate that,” he says. “I had a failing coronary heart valve and likewise had a whole lot of continual situations that had been spinning off of that. My coronary heart was principally backfiring, so I used to be affected by continual coronary heart failure. So what they ended up doing was by means of a sequence of assessments and so forth, over the interval of six months, it was decided that I would wish a number of operations to avoid wasting my life.

“These operations weren’t carried out right here inside the jail. I used to be taken to among the finest cardiological medical facilities right here within the nation below secret and returned. The operations had been achieved. A type of operations was in November. The opposite one was in December, a few month in the past. I got here by means of each of these with flying colours, and proper now I’m going by means of rehabilitation and recuperation.”

He continues, “I’ve to be taught to stroll once more, you bought to recollect they reduce me open. They actually break me open, reduce my coronary heart open, put me on a bypass machine and set up a valve in my coronary heart and I’m pumping, then shut me again up.”

Whereas he skilled a well being disaster, Johnson’s authorized battle for freedom continued to unfold. His federal conviction enchantment progressed by means of the sixth Circuit Courtroom of Appeals and was scheduled for October 2023. Moreover, efforts to safe a commutation of his sentence had been underway, contingent on the enchantment’s consequence. The courtroom, nonetheless, affirmed his sentence on October 23, 2023, which—in a accident—allowed his commutation request to proceed to The White Home.

In early November 2023, Johnson underwent his first coronary heart operation. By November 15, a movement for Compassionate Launch was filed, triggering a 30-day window for the B.O.P. to reply, after which Johnson might instantly petition the courts.

He then underwent main open-heart surgical procedure on December 18, 2023, adopted by intensive care and a prolonged restoration interval. His reps inform us his medical wants far exceed the capabilities of the jail that homes him. Furthermore, Johnson was returned to his unique establishment, inflicting extra issues together with his constituency.

In a big growth, new United States Sentencing Fee pointers expanded medical grounds for Compassionate Launch motions as of November 1, 2023. The change, prompted by circumstances like Johnson’s, has led to a number of profitable compassionate launch motions throughout the nation. With the B.O.P.’s 30-day response interval having elapsed on December 15, 2023, Johnson’s authorized workforce is now making ready a movement for his launch on account of his well being quandary.

Johnson’s well being continues to enhance inside FCI Ashland federal jail, however his ardent followers really feel his longterm aftercare can be higher managed outdoors below the care of non-public physicians and family members. They’re asking for assist, particularly from those that as soon as backed him as he fought for these slain in blatant hate crimes. Playing cards, letters and different well-wishes are being collected and inspired, which supply a beacon of hope and solidarity in his struggle for well being and freedom.

Johnson stays unbowed and continues to progress. Final December, he celebrated his sixtieth birthday. He earned his doctorate from the The Sacramento Theological Seminary and Bible School, a completely accredited college that provides masters and doctorate diploma applications. Johnson was awarded the Doctorate of Humanities final yr, earlier than the surgical procedures, appeals and requests for commutations from Biden. His story continues.

“There’s a much bigger image you have to take a look at,” he ponders. “There’s a a lot larger image.”

Extra later.

Correspondence might be despatched to:

C/O: Dr. John F. Johnson #20257509 

FCI – Ashland 

P.O. Field 6001

Ashland, KY 41105 

c/o: John F Johnson #20257509

“I can perceive why what is occurring to me is occurring to me and the motion. There are a number of issues occurring proper now. You possibly can allow them to do what they at all times do, which is demonize the Black man within the media. They’re not going to speak good about you. Cease hoping on a star. That’s why we’d like our information, not simply on social media however our world.”

Grand Grasp Jay in 2022