Historic Vote on Burge Torture Reparations Legislation
The largest gathering of Burge Torture survivors will assemble to watch the vote
The Chicago City Council will vote on historic legislation that will provide reparations to Burge Torture Survivors and family members. The largest gathering of Burge Torture survivors and family members will assemble to watch the City Council vote on the legislation.
It will take place Wednesday, May 6, 2015 City Hall, 2nd Floor at 10 a.m.
After the City Council Vote on the Reparations Legislation they will meet at Chicago Temple, 77 W. Washington, James Parlor Room, 2nd Floor
More than 10 Chicago Police Torture Survivors, family members of torture survivors, Alderman Proco Joe Moreno (1st Ward) and representatives of Amnesty International – USA, Chicago Torture Justice Memorials (CTJM), Project NIA and We Charge Genocide will be available to comment on the vote and legislation.
On the eve of a hearing on the Burge Torture Reparations Ordinance, CTJM and Amnesty International – USA reached an agreement on a reparations package with Mayor Emanuel and his administration. The legislation is historic and will be the first time a City in the U.S. has provided reparations to victims of racially motivated police violence. If passed the legislation, provides concrete redress to the torture survivors and their family members, including a formal apology; specialized counseling services; free enrollment in City Colleges; a history lesson about the Burge torture cases taught in Chicago Public schools; a permanent public memorial to the survivors; and it sets aside $5.5 million for a Reparations Fund for Burge Torture Victims.
The legislation comes after an impressive grassroots campaign co-led by Chicago Torture Justice Memorials, Amnesty International – USA, Project NIA and We Charge Genocide.
Today, the Reparations legislation unanimously passed out of Chicago’s Finance Committee.
For more information, contact: Joey Mogul, Chicago Torture Justice Memorials, 773-294-7606
