April 6, 2009 (CHICAGO) (WLS) --
Activists and former prisoners who say they were tortured into making false confessions rallied outside the Thompson Center Monday. They are calling on attorney general Lisa Madigan to initiate hearings for all victims of Chicago police torture under former commander Jon Burge.
Burge was indicted last year on charges related to acts of torture.
Photo: ABC 7
Monday's rally comes six years after Madigan was appointed to oversee
prosecution of the Burge torture case and a day before a judge will rule on moving five cases to the Cook County state's attorney's office.
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Police torture activists stonewalled at Lisa Madigan's office
Chicago Progressive Examiner
Monday, April 06, 2009
Judge Paul Biebel is expected to rule today on a request by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to hand five torture cases related to former Chicago Police Cmdr. Jon Burge back to the Cook County State's Attorney. Several community organizations tried to put Madigan's feet to the fire yesterday by holding a rally and press conference in front of the Thompson Center; among the speakers was David Bates, who did time for a murder he says he didn't commit but confessed to after enduring nearly two days of torture by detectives working under Burge.
After the rally, activists entered the Thompson Center in an attempt to make their case to Madison's staff. State of Illinois police officer Jesse Harris Jr. intercepted the group at the lobby; after a couple of tense minutes, Harris agreed to allow five people to go up to Madigan's 12th floor office — but not media.
The delegation, which included Gates and relatives of other alleged victims of police torture and brutality, met with Cara Smith, Madigan’s deputy chief of staff. "They pressed Madigan to take action on these cases, and they extended an invitation for her to talk us in a public town hall meeting," said Julien Ball of the Campaign to End the Death Penalty, one of the groups behind the rally. "She listened but didn't make any promises."
This week has seen much media speculation about Madigan's intention to run for governor and the far-reaching impact of her pending decision, which may help explain why she seems keen on dropping the arduous task of sorting through one of the most sordid chapters in Chicago police history on somebody else's lap. Prosecuting can anger cops, while not doing so angers the African-American community that took the brunt of the Burge regime's fury, and this kind of thing tends to get in the way of political ambitions.
Ball said activists are debating what steps to take if the torture cases are handed to Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez. "She accused some of the old guard of inaction during her campaign, but she hasn't said whether she plans to prosecute torture cases. We will be watching very attentively."
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Coverage in the Tribune
Monday's rally comes six years after Madigan was appointed to oversee
prosecution of the Burge torture case and a day before a judge will rule on moving five cases to the Cook County state's attorney's office.
___________________________________________________________________
Police torture activists stonewalled at Lisa Madigan's office
Chicago Progressive Examiner
Monday, April 06, 2009
Judge Paul Biebel is expected to rule today on a request by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to hand five torture cases related to former Chicago Police Cmdr. Jon Burge back to the Cook County State's Attorney. Several community organizations tried to put Madigan's feet to the fire yesterday by holding a rally and press conference in front of the Thompson Center; among the speakers was David Bates, who did time for a murder he says he didn't commit but confessed to after enduring nearly two days of torture by detectives working under Burge.
After the rally, activists entered the Thompson Center in an attempt to make their case to Madison's staff. State of Illinois police officer Jesse Harris Jr. intercepted the group at the lobby; after a couple of tense minutes, Harris agreed to allow five people to go up to Madigan's 12th floor office — but not media.
The delegation, which included Gates and relatives of other alleged victims of police torture and brutality, met with Cara Smith, Madigan’s deputy chief of staff. "They pressed Madigan to take action on these cases, and they extended an invitation for her to talk us in a public town hall meeting," said Julien Ball of the Campaign to End the Death Penalty, one of the groups behind the rally. "She listened but didn't make any promises."
This week has seen much media speculation about Madigan's intention to run for governor and the far-reaching impact of her pending decision, which may help explain why she seems keen on dropping the arduous task of sorting through one of the most sordid chapters in Chicago police history on somebody else's lap. Prosecuting can anger cops, while not doing so angers the African-American community that took the brunt of the Burge regime's fury, and this kind of thing tends to get in the way of political ambitions.
Ball said activists are debating what steps to take if the torture cases are handed to Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez. "She accused some of the old guard of inaction during her campaign, but she hasn't said whether she plans to prosecute torture cases. We will be watching very attentively."
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Coverage in the Tribune
Chicago Breaking News Center
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Photos from the rally
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Photos from the rally
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