Chicago could become the first city in the nation to pass a resolution condemning torture!
On November 2, 2011, 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore introduced to the City Council a resolution drafted by the Illinois Coalition Against Torture (ICAT) to make the City of Chicago a torture-free zone. A press conference and hearing will be held on the resolution on January 12, 2012 at City Hall beginning at 9:00 and 10:00 a.m., respectively (please note the time change).
The resolution comes on the heels of the 2010 conviction and sentencing of Police Commander Jon Burge, who was found guilty for perjury and obstruction of justice because he falsely denied having tortured prisoners. Burge is currently serving a sentence of 4 1/2 years in federal prison.
ICAT formed in response to the spate of torture allegations coming to the fore from Abu Ghraib, Guantánamo, state prisons in Illinois, and, of course, Chicago. ICAT’s mission is to educate the public and to build opposition to the U.S. government’s use of torture on all levels at home and abroad.
Since late August 2011 ICAT has gathered signatures on a petition to support the anti-torture resolution. To date, over 3,000 people from Chicago, across the United States, and around the world have signed the petition.
This resolution is an important first step in making it clear that the people of Chicago will not tolerate the practice of torture. ICAT calls on the City Council to adopt the resolution making Chicago a torture-free zone and to ensure that the resolution is put into practice by all the residents of Chicago.
