Jesus Garcia, Cook County Commissioner and former Illinois State Senator speaks at the People’s Hearing on Police Crimes. “There is great urgency here, all of us are threatened by police departments that may be going wild,” said Garcia. (Larry Redmond)
(This is part one of a two-part series on the People’s Hearing on Police Crimes. Part two can be found here.)
CHICAGO – On Saturday morning, July 21, 2012, I stood with one-hundred and fifty fellow Chicagoans to work toward drafting solutions that address the Chicago Police Department’s use of systematic, extrajudicial force upon its own citizenry.
The event, A People’s Hearing on Police Crimes, created an open dialogue for the general public, elected officials, clergy, and community leaders to hear the accounts of survivors and the families of deceased victims, accounts mostly silenced or reported by the mainstream media with information produced by the very same perpetrators of the illegal acts. As the survivor of a violent Chicago police assault and the ongoing victim of a “Blue Wall” cover-up, I was honored to both participate as an organizer for the People’s Hearing and to speak as a police brutality victim.
The People’s Hearing however was more than an opportunity for victims to counter the official constitution of Truth by the police in crimes involving their own. Participants used the information produced by the victims and survivors to discuss proposals for legislation that would enable prosecution of police crimes through an elected civilian oversight council of the Chicago Police Department.
Led by the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR) and the Criminal Justice Program at Kennedy-King College, and including representatives of 30 organizations, the focus of the Hearing was on building a coalition and a movement that would ultimately transform practices in Chicago-area law enforcement institutions for the benefit of the people, thus ending the reign of police impunity.
Murder and Accountability
Several family members of police murder victims testified, including Emmett Farmer, the father of Flint Farmer, who was lying unarmed and incapacitated on the ground when a Chicago police officer executed him with three shots in his back at point-blank range.
The entire incident was captured on the officer’s own police cruiser dash cam as his partner drove around the block. In the five months prior to Farmer’s murder, Chicago cop Gildardo Sierra shot two other young black men, killing one of them.
The Chicago Police Department ruled Farmer’s death a “justifiable homicide.”
The parents of Stephon Watts speak at the People’s Hearing. Watts was 15 years old when Calumet City police shot and killed him in the family home. (Larry Redmond)
The parents of Stephon Watts spoke about the shooting and killing of their 15 year old son in their suburban Chicago home earlier this year. His parents called police for help in calming Stephon, who was autistic, as they had done before on several occasions. Calumet City Police officers arrived to find Watts at the bottom of the basement staircase wielding a butter knife.
“He’s autistic, he immediately acted nervously around the police. He had a butter knife,” said Steven Watts.
Cops standing at the top of the basement staircase shot and killed Watts. The City has maintained that the officers had no choice but to shoot, an argument that the Watts family firmly refutes.
In the 6 months since Stephon’s murder, Watts has been left wondering if things might have gone differently if officers, as first responders, had been properly trained in dealing with children like Stephon. “I mean this kid is autistic and all you have is a 9 mm for dealing with it?”
The same Calumet City Police Department shot and killed the unarmed Prince Alim Bantu Akbar in broad daylight on January 4, 2010. Akbar, or Jus Rhymz as he was known in the community, was a Chicago Def Jam slam poet, comedian and hip-hop artist.
Police received a call that the 32 year old Akbar was behaving oddly. When police arrived, they claim the unarmed Akbar attacked them.
Akbar’s mother, LaJuana Lampkins, told a different story. She said Akbar was in an altercation with an officer when another officer arrived. Even though the first officer had the situation under control, the second officer shot Akbar dead. (A more complete narration that counters the officially reported police story can be found here).
Lampkins was in prison at the time of her son’s death and was unable to speak out until her release within the past year.
Develt Bradford’s mother talked about her son’s arrest on Nov. 16, 2011, for the murder of an armed security guard at an Aldi food store on the South Side. Bradford, 52, was taken to Area 2 Police Headquarters and booked. He was found dead in his cell at 2 am the next morning, an alleged suicide.
Video cameras that monitor the lockup at the new facility were turned off.
Frank Chapman of the CAARPR spoke on the lack of accountability in cases of police shootings and fatalities, expanding on the individual cases presented at the People’s Hearing to show the institutional nature of impunity.
“In the last 3 calendar years, Chicago police have shot 167 people. Fifty-five were killed. Black people were 122 of them. Latinos were 24. This is according to the Independent Police Review Authority. That’s the police reviewing the police,” said Chapman, a key organizer of the Hearing. “Not a single police shooting was found to be unjustified, even when the victim was committing no crime and had no weapon and posed no threat to anyone.”
Police officers, according to IPRA, were thus deemed “perfect” in their use of lethal force upon individuals. That is, each time a Chicago police officer reached for a service weapon and discharged it upon another person, striking that individual with bullets, the officer’s actions were held justifiable by the very state that employs, and not coincidentally, bears fiscal responsibility for that officer in civil proceedings.
Torture and Forced Confessions
The mothers of torture victims who remain imprisoned gave emotional testimonies, demonstrating that the fallout from Commander Jon Burge’s elaborate torture operations at Area 2 and Area 3 is ongoing, with many of the victims still incarcerated.
Armanda Shackleford, the mother of Gerald Reed, tortured in 1990 by Chicago Detectives Michael Kill and Victor Breska working under the direction of Commander Jon Burge, spoke about her son signing a false confession to end the torture. Based upon that confession, Gerald Reed was convicted of a double murder and sentenced to natural life in prison where he remains.
Jeanette Plummer testified on behalf of her son Johnny Plumber, who was arrested and tortured by detectives working under Jon Burge into making a false confession for two murders. Plumber was only 15 years old. Based upon that confession, he was sentenced to natural life in prison. “These are our sons, these are our kids,” Jeanette Plummer said. “If we don’t push for this to stop, they will keep taking people.”
Carolyn Johnson spoke about her son Marcus Wiggins, who was arrested and beaten in custody at the age of 13. Wiggins was taken to the Area 3 police station where officers applied an electrical shock current to his body.
Bertha Escamilla testified about her son Nick’s ordeal after he was arrested, beaten, intimidated, and threatened into signing a confession for a gang murder he did not commit. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison and served 15 before his release last year.
“I’m sitting down with a few ladies whose [sons] had the same police officers that my son had. These police officers are being investigated, have been investigated! And nothing happens to these police officers.”
Mark Clements, who was recently released from prison after serving 28 years for a crime he did not commit, testified as well. As a 16 year old, Clements was tortured by Jon Burge’s detectives at the Chicago Police Department’s infamous Area 3.
At the People’s Hearing, Clements discussed the institutionalization of torture as a labor practice. “We are a people that have adjusted to torture in our society. We are paid to torture for a job. You have policemen, you have correctional officials, where poor people are paid to torture other individuals. When is this going to stop?”
Clements added the People’s Hearing was necessary “to spotlight the need for an independently elected board of citizens that can investigate these police crimes.”
Enforcement
Jeff Baker of the Committee for a Better Chicago gave a report on the Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA), the city’s current “enforcer” of police conduct, to highlight the need for civilian control of the police. Baker noted that while IPRA can make recommendations for the police to discipline officers, it does not have the authority to discipline police officers for crimes.
Baker then read some startling statistics related to IPRA’s track record of pursuing Chicago police officers for disciplinary action.
“If [police officers] don’t fear discipline, why would they stop to think twice about pulling the gun and shooting?” asked Baker. “Out of 9,643 allegations, 3,067 cases were investigated by IPRA, and 47 cases were sustained,” amounting to the exceedingly low figure of “.04 percent of allegations” in one calendar year (2009-2010). This means that “the police are damn near perfect” in misconduct cases investigated by the Independent Police Review Authority and the City of Chicago, said Baker.
While I also spoke that day, which was a meaningful experience, I was deeply moved by the talks that came before and after my own. Other victims and speakers shared their own thoughts on the experience of hearing the voices of those who had spoken before them.
Cook County Commissioner and former Illinois State Senator Jesus Garcia was one who was deeply impacted by the testimonies. “The people who came up here are everyday people, ordinary people who have suffered, who are living torture, who are raising the flags of warning that some things are amuck in the criminal justice system,” said Garcia. “They have shared their pain and their suffering and they’re calling us to ban together and figure out how to create accountability in our police system.”
“You’re educating us about the urgency of having greater transparency and real accountability,” said Cook County Commissioner Garcia. “There is great urgency here. All of us are threatened by police departments that may be going wild.”
(In Part Two I will complete coverage of the People’s Hearing on Police Crimes, including speakers on the role of police in political repression, and testimony by Howard Morgan’s wife, Rosalind Morgan, among other victims. I will build upon this with general reflections on the Hearing. For updates on the release of Part Two, follow me on Twitter @gmalandrucco)
Some early-edited video of the People’s Hearing can be viewed here:
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This is rally some fine reporting on the victims of police crimes who are protesting and demanding some systemic changes. Is there a way I can share this on my face book?
Frank Gibson
The website on Police Crimes set up by the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression is: Stop Police Crimes.com not Stop Police Crimes.org or uscop.org. Good article with some critical mistakes. Also you can see the entire Peoples Hearing by going to the link on Police Crimes.com
The speaking schedule was FULL, so I wasn’t able to speak of the rape and other assaults still being orchestrated on my brother David P., who has been a vicitim of BULLYING since ther age of (13)…..For TO long, he felt he had to go along in order to be left alone and still this 2012, we are still filing complaints when necessary on his behalf at Chester MHC, in Chester, Illinois…..I ask for signatures, as I asked for signatures for Mr. Morgans’ PETITION, for David has served his time, been FALSELY charged at Elgin, which was used to RAILROAD him to CMHC(as rodneyyoder.com, was railroaded)(for different reasons though)(still politically motivated though) and David is STILL being FORCED to take PSYCHE drugs, that has his “treatment team” cleaverly speaking of his LIVER(as Dannyprison.com liver was damaged from these drugs for (4) months and his familky was NOT informed of it, before Danny passed away from the toxicity from those PSYCHE drugs) and as we speak(2012), his COGNITIVE abilities are DETERIOATING!……….PS: We also have ANOTHER brother(Larry Poole, who was murdered at the same time;lies told in the Suntimes paper that they were trying to rob a drug spot) that was MURDERED by a corrupt cop(Brenda Jones)(accomplice of a Barbara Meyers;gay daughter of Katie Harris at 639 N. Lockwood, here in Chicago; also gay sister of Rufus Meyer;registered PEDOPHILE), whom I have SEVERAL police reports on that family, for making THREATS on MY life,( just as CHRIS ROBERTS(guard at CMHC), has threatened my life, because we file necessary written complaints on Davids’ behalf)…..These are “people”, who thinks they can BULLY individuals, kidnap people, rape people, brag about injecting individuals with HEROIN and keeping them for a week until they get a habit, with the help of corrupt 15th district/25th district cops, here in Chicago!
These individuals has tried everyhting under the sun to intimidate I(even my landlord has had trouble before I moved to 1613 N. Leclaire Ave.;3N, with these sort of individuals)….We have gone to 37th ward alderman(Emma Mitts) and all she do is try and play the reverse psychology blame game(ha-ha), to take/keep the focus off of her, for NOT being the alderman she should be…..Mz. Mitts stated to I and my landlord at a metign with her that, “before I can do anything, I have to have some 911 calls”, KNOWING that the individuals (most of them), won’t say anything because the average is involved in ill activities’out there sick and suffering;even keeping quiet about girls being human trafficked out the very hallway where I live…..;even the landlords’ maintenance man, life has been threatened…..There is a corrupt COP who own a building at Leclaire and Concord, who’s the reason why this building is being used to enhance his “business”…..I remain friends with the landlord and his wife because SOMEONE, has to show support, especially with I being a residence at this location!….Their attempt is to take OVER his building, but he IS showing COURAGE concernign this situation….I(personally), has gone to the F.B.I., filed police reports on individuals who has threatened my life and will NOT be intimidated to leave my home, until I, am ready to move!….I was TRIED by the next door tenant(NATE(, (8) YEARS ago, when I first moved here and the IRONIC thing about that is, it was someone else, who told his “business”;(Barbara Meyers)(Brenda Jones, the corrupt cops accomplice’Katie Harris gay daughter;Rufus the pedophile’s gay sister!….I will continue to support the NAARPR, in our quest to get constructive legistation passed, for my life/familiys’ life is important to I as well as other families are important to I!
ATTN: In my story about my brother being raped and abused in other ways at Chester MHC, in Chester, Illinois, there was another youngman, who was murdered WITH my brother Larry. That young mans’ names was ANTHONY COLE…..Larry & Anthony BOTH, were LIED on, (May 17, 1980)!
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Let this be the issue we carry forth from now until freedom rings from door to door. From the alderpersons to the President let the right to be a young black man take precedent. Say it loud
ALERT!
After over (19) years, my family, has faught continuously and have FINALLY, gotten one of our WRITTEN COMPLAINTS, ‘SUBSTANTIATED’!
ALL, of our complaints, to DHS(Michelle Saddler)(Quinns X Chief of Staff), Equip For Equality, Guardianship Advocacy, has been marked “UNFOUNDED”, which is a LIE!
Just today(03.14.2013), we have had to file another complaint with the ABUSE HOTLINE, because of an abusive/DISrespecful charge aide.
The ink, was not even dry on the complaint I had to file on just yesterday(03.13.2013), which I also address to the HEAD administrator, Brian Thomas(who has his first time to return any of my phone calls).
I just learned that his “SW”(Travis Nottmiar, has (once AGAIN), made an *** of himself, in his AGAIN, attempt to insult my intelligence about WHY a psych drug is still being FORCED on my brother David.
The SIDE EFFECTS to these drugs, only masses their reason for LIEING about administering these toxic drugs to patients, in the first place.
RAPES, are being COVERED up, by the administrators like (retired Patricia Kelley-Mosbacher, X asst. admin., David Dunker, “retired Unit C director, Roy Evans(who took my brother’s court papers and LIED about him giving them to him.
One of the worses guards there(Chris Roberts, who has threatened to, “have my wife’s sister beat your sister ELois up, the next time she visits you”), is one that should have been fired, years ago, for his assaults on David and now another(KEN), is on the hot sheet!
I’m waiting for him to EVER put his hand on I(as they jailed my sister for (30) days, because she DEFENDED herself, from their attacks) and I VOWED, to show him, what it feel like to be assaulted with a CHAIR(as he threatened to have my brother transferred to UNIT B3, where rapists are and beaten with a chair and have his eye put out).
These state of Illinois mental health hospital employees, MUST be stopped, just as JON BURGE and other corrupt/abusive cops, must be!
Fifthteen district cops, are also involved in raping individuals whom they have in custody and this Barbara Harris/Meyer(gay sister of Rufus Meyer;registered PEDOPHILE, who lives across the street(639 N. Lockwood) from where my parents once owned a home, before they both passed away), are individuals who along with their mother(Katie Harris, who molested them), are ALL individuals whom I have police reports on and have gone to court about, for Barbara’s son Tyre, threatened my life, for NO reason, in his attempt to intimidate I.
This nonsense, putting individuals names in a BOOK, who are no longer involved in bad activity, also must stop. Some of those peole are deceased, some has completely turned their lives around;now some over (20) year ago, but now, has their own businesses and are gransmother and grandfatheers, looking forward in life and some, who hasn’t been released from jail yet and won’t be looking back, when they are released.
I was told by the judge at 25th district on March 16, 2006, that, “if I have any more trouble out of any of them, I can have ALL of them arrested”, but these people seems to think that they can do as they please(kidnap, rape and torture anyone they please, whenever they choose to;even prostitute young gilrs, out of the very entrance I live at), but I will NOT EVER, be one afraid of either of them!
I have gone to the F.B.I. on Roosevelt road. I have done ALL I’m going to do.
I’m at the point where if I’m EVER assaulted by any of them(as I told the F.B.I.agent I spoke to), I will NOT have ANY remorse, for I have a RIGHT, to defend myself and I will NOT, be afraid to walk in my neighborhood afraid to go in and out of my home, where my landlord ALREADY, has been assaulted(before I even moved here) and recently, been shot at.
Emma Mitts(37th ward alderman), has a I-Don’t-Care-Attitude, for when I went to a meeting WITH my landlord to speak with her about getting a CAMERA at North Ave. & Leclaire, she did NOTHING to help and when he discussed other issues of bad activities IN and AROUND his prpoerty here, she had the audesity to tell him, “I have to have some 911 calls before I can help”.
She knows *** well, that most won’t call the police UNLESS, they, are having some sort of problem and in most cases, it’s with their OWN people, who disturbs my rest and I’m sure across the streets neighbors, who works everyday.
Police accountability, is long pass needed, in this BLOCK, where I live, which 25th and 15 districts, are overlooking(with Mitts help).
Lets guess WHY!
The NAARPR, is the BEST, organization I’ve ever been acquainted with since I’ve been in Chicago and I will continue to be a member as long as it is in existance!
We have just begun, for summer is coming and our neighborhoods, MUST be taken BACK, for the sake of our children and our elders, who has earned the right, to live their lives in peace!
BULLYING, has been around, for TOO long and it MUST be combatted, ASAP!
PLEASE be ready, to give I MORE PETITION signatures, in support of my brother David, at Chester MHC, in Chester, Illinois, on 03.23.2013, from 2p to 5p, at Martin Episcopal Church, at 5700 W, Midway Park, during our next meeting sponsored by the NAARPR, on Police Accountability issues.
See you there!