People’s Hearing Held on Chicago Police Torture Reparations Ordinance
The hearing was held on the Same Day Jon Burge was Paroled
Hundreds of organizers and activists joined with politicians, faith leaders and Chicago Police Torture survivors to rally for the Chicago Police Torture Reparations Ordinance and hold a People’s hearing.
The People’s hearing was held Saturday, February 14, 2015 at the Sanctuary of Chicago Temple, 77 W. Washington, in Chicago.
Co-Sponsors Aldermen Joe Moreno and Howard Brookins; Rev. Marshall Hatch of the New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church (NMP); Torture Survivors Darrell Cannon, Mark Clark, Anthony Holmes and representatives of Amnesty International, Chicago Torture Justice Memorials, Project NIA and We Charge Genocide. All of the Mayoral candidates were invited to attend.
Burge was released yesterday from house arrest and given the opportunity to begin his life anew with the benefit of his police pension funded by Chicago taxpayers’ money. Yet, scores of Chicago Police Torture survivors continue to suffer from the psychological effects of the torture they endured without any compensation, assistance, or any legal recourse for redress.
Despite the support of over half of the City Council, 3 Mayoral candidates, and the UN Committee Against Torture, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has failed to take meaningful steps to move the ordinance forward and demand a hearing in the Finance Committee.
The People’s Hearing featured testimonials by survivors of Burge torture, experts in psychological counseling and reparations and community leaders who will give voice to the specific objectives of the Ordinance and urgent need for its passage.
