Thursday, December 13, 2007
Chicago Deal to Pay $20 Million in Police Torture Case Hits Roadblock
From Democracy Now! -- click the title for audio, video, or text.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Torture in the Chicago Police Department
From Democracy Now...
Chicago to Pay $20 Million in Police Torture Case
The city of Chicago has agreed to pay nearly $20 million to four former death row prisoners who gave false confessions after being tortured by Chicago police. The four men are all African-America
n. They sued former Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge and more than 20 officers who worked with him alleging that they were coerced into falsely confessing to murder. In 2006 special prosecutors released a long-awaited report stating there was proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Burge and four other former officers abused suspects to extract confessions in the 1980s. Charges have never been filed against Jon Burge who oversaw the torture. He was fired in 1993 but is still receiving a $30,000 a year police pension from the city. Chicago Reader Lays Off Reporter Who Exposed Torture Story
Meanwhile in other news from Chicago, the investigative reporter who was most responsible for uncovering the police torture story has been laid off. John Conroy was one of four reporters at the Chicago Reader dismissed last week in a cost-saving measure by the paper’s parent company Creative Loafing. Conroy had been covering the torture story since 1990.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Anti-Police Brutality Rally, Nov. 16/17, Washington, DC
As seen on Democracy Now!, November 16: Activists Converge on Washington, D.C. for Weekend of Protest Against Hate Crimes, Police Brutality.Nov. 16-17 March, Rally in DC against Hate Crimes, Police Brutality
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH - STOP HATE CRIMES AND POLICE BRUTALITY
Friends,
Starting with the murder of Sean Bell in New York earlier this year, to the mass mobilization for the Jena 6, to the rape and torture of Megan Williams in West Virginia, to the ruling that sided with the Juvenile Boot Camp Guards who killed Martin Lee Anderson in Florida, to the nooses appearing on University of Maryland's campus, at the Tupac Shakur center and throughout the country, to most recently the murder of 14 year-old DeOnte Rawlings in Washington, DC by an off duty police officer -- as a community we must say "Enough is Enough!"
On Friday, November 16th there will be a march around the Department of Justice, and the following day, on Saturday, November 17th there will be a rally and concert at the Washington Monument against Hate Crimes and Police Brutality.
This is a critical moment for us to rally in Washington, DC for our human and civil rights. Please get involved with the planning of these two events.
For Future Generations,
The Hip Hop Caucus Team
Spread the word: Major mobilization on November 17th at the Washington Monument for Peace and Justice
Rally and Concert starts at 12 noon
On Saturday, November 17th come out to a major rally and concert against Hate Crimes and Police Brutality at the Washington Monument in Washington, DC.
We plan to gather from noon until dark with speakers and performers in the Sylvan Theatre to continue the momentum of organized protest against the most recent cases of hate crimes, and racism in the criminal justice system.
Email rally@hiphopcaucus.org for more information or call 202.787.5256.
Starting with the murder of Sean Bell in New York earlier this year, to the mass mobilization for the Jena 6, to the rape and torture of Megan Williams in West Virginia, to the ruling that sided with the Juvenile Boot Camp Guards who killed Martin Lee Anderson in Florida, to the nooses appearing on University of Maryland's campus, at the Tupac Shakur center and throughout the country, to most recently the murder of 14 year-old DeOnte Rawlings in Washington, DC by an off duty police officer -- as a community we must say "Enough is Enough!"
On Friday, November 16th there will be a march around the Department of Justice, and the following day, on Saturday, November 17th there will be a rally and concert at the Washington Monument against Hate Crimes and Police Brutality.
This is a critical moment for us to rally in Washington, DC for our human and civil rights. Please get involved with the planning of these two events.
For Future Generations,
The Hip Hop Caucus Team
Spread the word: Major mobilization on November 17th at the Washington Monument for Peace and Justice
Rally and Concert starts at 12 noon
On Saturday, November 17th come out to a major rally and concert against Hate Crimes and Police Brutality at the Washington Monument in Washington, DC.
We plan to gather from noon until dark with speakers and performers in the Sylvan Theatre to continue the momentum of organized protest against the most recent cases of hate crimes, and racism in the criminal justice system.
Email rally@hiphopcau
Some more resources:
- Fighting Police Abuse: A Community Action Manual (12/1/1997), ACLU
- Stonewalled: Police Abuse and Misconduct against LGBT in the USA, 2005, Amnesty International (PDF)
- Racial Profiling Page, Amnesty International
- TASERs in the USA, Amnesty International
- Stolen Lives Project, October22.org, 2007 update (PDF)
- Copwatch
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Saturday, November 3, 3PM: Benefit Concert for Alex in St. Paul, MN!
You've got the when -- Saturday, November 3, 2007. Here's the rest:
Where: 1536 Hewitt Avenue, St. Paul, MN
View Larger Map
Why: To raise funds for and awareness of Alex's situation; to provide a forum for people to think about and discuss issues of labor rights, police brutality, suppression of dissent, etc.
Also, there is another way to donate funds to Alex. Her brother, Nick, has set up the following account to which you can mail donations:
Feel free to right-click and download either of the two flyers below for printing, e-mailing, posting, etc.!
Just in case:
Where: 1536 Hewitt Avenue, St. Paul, MN
View Larger Map
Why: To raise funds for and awareness of Alex's situation; to provide a forum for people to think about and discuss issues of labor rights, police brutality, suppression of dissent, etc.
Also, there is another way to donate funds to Alex. Her brother, Nick, has set up the following account to which you can mail donations:
Alexandra Svoboda FundThe branch phone number is 401.456.7000.
c/o Citizens Bank
120 Waterman Street
Providence, RI 02906
Feel free to right-click and download either of the two flyers below for printing, e-mailing, posting, etc.!
Just in case:
- If you're using a PC, choose "Save As..." and choose your location.
- If you're using a Mac, I hope you know what to do, because I don't! But feel free to comment and let us all know.
JPEG:
GIF:
GIF:
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Support Alex with a PayPal Donation...
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
North Providence Anti-Police-Brutality Rally
Repeating info from an earlier post, just to be on the safe side...
Despite our hopes of having a march from the North Providence Town Hall to the North Providence Police Station, after our meeting with the police and mayor the compromise solution is to have a rally at:
This event:
We will post more info (an updated flier, etc.) soon. If you want to get involved with posting fliers near where you live, call the number above, e-mail albiorix80@yahoo.com , or download the one we will post and make your own copies.
Despite our hopes of having a march from the North Providence Town Hall to the North Providence Police Station, after our meeting with the police and mayor the compromise solution is to have a rally at:
- The North Providence High School (1828 Mineral Spring Ave, North Providence, RI; see below) on Sunday, August 26 at 1:30PM.
This event:
- is a demonstration to make our peaceful nature evident to the entire state and region
- will accomplish our goals of publicizing Alex's brutal attack while assuring the safety of everyone who attends against extremely hostile elements.
We will post more info (an updated flier, etc.) soon. If you want to get involved with posting fliers near where you live, call the number above, e-mail albiorix80@yaho
Nebraska March in Solidarity with North Providence Anti-Brutality Rally
From a list-serv...
Nebraskans for Peace and the Nebraska Coalition for Peace are organizing a march starting at the Nebraska Capital Building and finishing at the Nebraska State Federal Building. There will be a vigil at the end for Providence IWW member and Nebraska native Alex Svoboda who was attacked by police on August 11 at an IWW picket in North Providence.
The march will begin at 12:30 CT to coincide with the start of the North Providence Anti-Police Brutality Rally, which will begin at 1:30 ET.
Nebraskans for Peace and the Nebraska Coalition for Peace are organizing a march starting at the Nebraska Capital Building and finishing at the Nebraska State Federal Building. There will be a vigil at the end for Providence IWW member and Nebraska native Alex Svoboda who was attacked by police on August 11 at an IWW picket in North Providence.
The march will begin at 12:30 CT to coincide with the start of the North Providence Anti-Police Brutality Rally, which will begin at 1:30 ET.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Workers group says it will seek permit for a second march in North Providence
Update, 8/22/07: The "second march" will actually be a rally, not a march:
NEW DETAILS ON THE RALLY!
From Prov IWW--
Despite our hopes of having a march from the North Providence Town Hall to the North Providence Police Station, after our meeting with the police and mayor the compromise solution is to have a rally at:
- The North Providence High School (1828 Mineral Spring Ave, North Providence, RI; see below) on Sunday, August 26 at 1:30PM.
This event:
- is a demonstration to make our peaceful nature evident to the entire state and region
If you want more info call Mark Bray at (201) 669 0714.
- will accomplish our goals of publicizing Alex's brutal attack while assuring the safety of everyone who attends against extremely hostile elements.
We will post more info (an updated flier, etc.) soon. If you want to get involved with posting fliers near where you live, call the number above, e-mail albiorix80@yahoo.com, or download the one we will post and make your own copies.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
15 Things You Can Do To Help Alex Svoboda...
From a listserv...
1. Join Alex’s union -- the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). For more information about how to join the local Providence IWW, contact Mark Bray at albiorix80@yahoo.com.
2. Attend solidarity actions organized to support Alex, including the Anti-Police Brutality March on Sunday, August 26 at1:30 at the North Providence City Hall.
3. Make a donation to support Alex. There are three ways to send whatever funds you can:
5. Write letters of support for Alex and either mail or fax them to not only the people and institutions listed at the bottom of this post, but also to the following. Call to voice your outrage (politely) as well!:
7. Put an announcement about Alex’s situation on a listserve you belong to
8. Make an announcement about supporting Alex’s case at a meeting or public gathering
9. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper or media outlet. Make sure your letter is under 200 words and is linked to an article about this event in that paper.
10. Take up a collection at your place of worship, union hall, school, etc.
11. Organize a fundraiser/outreach event such as a dinner party, musical event, film or lecture.
12. Offer to donate your skills (artistic, writing, music, research, outreach, canvassing, phone banking, etc) to Mark Bray (contact above).
13. Ask a band or entertainer to donate proceeds of a performance to Alex.
14. Check this blog often for updates and events!
15. Ask friends and associates to do all of the above!
1. Join Alex’s union -- the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). For more information about how to join the local Providence IWW, contact Mark Bray at albiorix80@yahoo.com.
2. Attend solidarity actions organized to support Alex, including the Anti-Police Brutality March on Sunday, August 26 at
3. Make a donation to support Alex. There are three ways to send whatever funds you can:
- Providence IWW GMB, PO Box 5795, Providence, RI 02903
- Or contact Mark Bray at 201-669-0714
- Or for readers wanting to use PayPal, you can address contributions to our account, which is named "albiorix80@yaho
o.com".
5. Write letters of support for Alex and either mail or fax them to not only the people and institutions listed at the bottom of this post, but also to the following. Call to voice your outrage (politely) as well!:
7. Put an announcement about Alex’s situation on a listserve you belong to
8. Make an announcement about supporting Alex’s case at a meeting or public gathering
9. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper or media outlet. Make sure your letter is under 200 words and is linked to an article about this event in that paper.
10. Take up a collection at your place of worship, union hall, school, etc.
11. Organize a fundraiser/outreach event such as a dinner party, musical event, film or lecture.
12. Offer to donate your skills (artistic, writing, music, research, outreach, canvassing, phone banking, etc) to Mark Bray (contact above).
13. Ask a band or entertainer to donate proceeds of a performance to Alex.
14. Check this blog often for updates and events!
15. Ask friends and associates to do all of the above!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
"Svoboda" means "freedom" in Ukranian
From a list-serv:
one sad, ironic note i'd like to add to this dialogue which i've been following about the attack on alexandra svoboda, is that the word "svoboda" in ukrainian means "freedom". my heart goes out to her and i hope she's healing swiftly, and i await news of some form of justice being served. peace and svobodaLook it up here; enter свобода.
What Happened in North Providence...
Welcome to the Support Alex Svoboda blog. We welcome comments.
Please support Alex! She has had two operations on her knee at Rhode Island Hospital already. There are three ways to send whatever funds you can:
(Projo coverage: here, here, here, here and here. A video and more here.)
This is what autocracy looks like. The Providence IWW, along with workers from the warehouses that supply Jackie's Galaxy restaurants in RI (who work 100 hours/week for subminimum wage, etc.), held a march, picketing the North Providence JG.
Here's what the cops, who were clearly out of their depth, did to a protester, who didn't move back to the sidewalk fast enough, reportedly.
(Click the title of this post for a slideshow of all the photos from this event.) Here's the North Providence Police Department Mission Statement:
The victim, Alexandra Svoboda, has already had one operation on her broken, dislocated knee, and the affected vascular artery, at Rhode Island Hospital.
Another is scheduled for Wednesday.
If you can help Alex, send what you can to:
North Providence Mayor:
Charles A. Lombardi
North Providence Town Hall
2000 Smith Street
North Providence, RI 02911
Telephone: (401) 232-0900, ext. 226
Fax: (401) 232-3434
Police Chief:
Ernest C. Spaziano
North Providence Police Department
1967 Mineral Spring Ave.
North Providence, RI 02904
Business line: 401-233-1433
Fax number: 401-233-1438
North Providence Police Department Professional Standards Unit
1967 Mineral Spring Avenue
North Providence, RI 02904
(401) 233-1433 Ext. 114
Confidential Fax (401) 233-1425
Or use this nifty form (PDF).
(From the NPPD site: "The Commendation/Complaint form must be submitted to the Police Department. The form can be submitted in person, by mail at the above address, or by Fax at the above number.")
Please support Alex! She has had two operations on her knee at Rhode Island Hospital already. There are three ways to send whatever funds you can:
- Providence IWW GMB, PO Box 5795, Providence, RI 02903
- Or contact Mark Bray at 201-669-0714
- For readers wanting to use PayPal, you can address contributions to the account named "albiorix80@yahoo.com"
(Projo coverage: here, here, here, here and here. A video and more here.)This is what autocracy looks like. The Providence IWW, along with workers from the warehouses that supply Jackie's Galaxy restaurants in RI (who work 100 hours/week for subminimum wage, etc.), held a march, picketing the North Providence JG.
Here's what the cops, who were clearly out of their depth, did to a protester, who didn't move back to the sidewalk fast enough, reportedly.
(Click the title of this post for a slideshow of all the photos from this event.) Here's the North Providence Police Department Mission Statement:
The members of the North Providence Police Department are dedicated and committed to providing the highest quality police services to our citizens. We are dedicated to the concept of personal excellence at the highest level, uncompromising integrity, continuous improvement in order to enhance public safety, protection of life and property, and the reduction of crime and the perceptions of crime. We will fulfill this mission by developing a partnership with the community in a manner that inspires confidence and trust.
We acknowledge a community commitment to resolve issues and improve the quality of life for all residents. Members of the North Providence Police Department take pride in our professional accomplishmentsand abilities. We are individually accountable for the reflection of the following core values in both our professional and personal lives:
- Respect for human life;
- Treating all people with the highest regard and respect;
- Honesty and integrity through ethical behavior;
- Professionalism
and excellence demonstrated in all areas of duty;- Cooperation with all agencies of Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement and government;
- Strengthen partnerships with the community.
Every citizen contact is an opportunity to demonstrate the mission and the values of the North Providence Police Department.Touching, no? This is what hypocrisy looks like.
The victim, Alexandra Svoboda, has already had one operation on her broken, dislocated knee, and the affected vascular artery, at Rhode Island Hospital.
Another is scheduled for Wednesday.
If you can help Alex, send what you can to:
- Providence IWW GMB, PO Box 5795, Providence, RI 02903
- Or contact Mark Bray at 201-669-0714
- Or for readers wanting to use PayPal, you can address contributions to our account, which is named "albiorix80@yahoo.com".
North Providence Mayor:
Charles A. Lombardi
North Providence Town Hall
2000 Smith Street
North Providence, RI 02911
Telephone: (401) 232-0900, ext. 226
Fax: (401) 232-3434
Police Chief:
Ernest C. Spaziano
North Providence Police Department
1967 Mineral Spring Ave.
North Providence, RI 02904
Business line: 401-233-1433
Fax number: 401-233-1438
North Providence Police Department Professional Standards Unit
1967 Mineral Spring Avenue
North Providence, RI 02904
(401) 233-1433 Ext. 114
Confidential Fax (401) 233-1425
Or use this nifty form (PDF).
(From the NPPD site: "The Commendation/Complaint form must be submitted to the Police Department. The form can be submitted in person, by mail at the above address, or by Fax at the above number.")
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