Free Jason P Community Update

The following outlines the most recent developments in the Free Jason Puracal efforts, including an update on Jason's condition and ways you can help.

Jason's Appeal:

We are still waiting on the trial judge to send Jason's appeal to Granada. Unfortunately, if this does not happen by December 15th, courts will adjourn for the holiday break and will not reconvene until mid January. We are fighting hard to see that Jason is given a fair right to appeal.

Jason's Health:

Jason's health continues to deteriorate in prison. He has a reoccurring shoulder injury from sleeping on a thin, foam mattress. He is still unable to eat the rice and beans served by the prison and is relying on his family to bring him food each week.

Support for Jason Growing in the US:

Congressman Adam Smith, Senators Patty Murray (WA), Maria Cantwell (WA), Ron Wyden (OR), and Jeff Merkley (OR) sent a letter regarding Jason's case to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The Congressional Representatives recognize that "Mr. Puracal continues to be denied due process by the Nicaraguan judicial system."  They urge the State Department to take action.

The King County Democrats passed a resolution calling upon the State Department and President Obama to support Jason Puracal and his family in an effort to secure his release. The organization recognizes that "Jason was and is totally innocent." King County, Washington is the 12th most populous county in the United States, and contains nearly a third of all voters in the State of Washington.

The Huffington Post ran an article written by Jason titled, "A Second Christmas Held Captive: A Prisoner and Father's Plea to Dads Around the World." The letter, shared through his sisters, is a humbling reminder that Jason is an innocent husband and father kept from his family during the holidays.

The California-wide news programs KFI 640 LA with Bill Carroll (a #1 ranked radio show) and NBC LA (TV) picked up the story. We've been very lucky to have Seattle-based coverage since the beginning, and are hoping the momentum in other markets will lead to national news coverage.

Conservative Columnist Andrew Breibart shared Jason's story on his website, marking another public figure talking about the case.

Ways you can help:

1. Donate to Jason's defense fund. This donation serves both mounting legal fees and the costs of getting fresh food and water to Jason.
2. Continue to write your Congressional Representative about Jason. If you live in Seattle or Oregon, we encourage you to send a note thanking the representatives listed below for taking action on behalf of Jason.
3. Share the story through social media by sharing this post: "Watch this unbelievable true story: Jason Puracal - An American wrongfully imprisoned in Nicaragua http://youtu.be/5WMayrw_qPM #FreeJasonP"

As always, we are humbled by the support of friends, family and those who support us that we haven't even met yet. 

- The Free Jason P Team