Department of Justice: Investigate Chicago's "Abuse Laden" Black Site

The Chicago Police Department runs an off-the-books interrogation site where police detainees have been brutalized and denied their Constitutional rights, according to an explosive new report by The Guardian.

The report, published Feb. 24, alleges abuses of detainees at Homan Square that include:

* Keeping arrestees out of official booking databases.

* Beating by police, resulting in head wounds.

* Shackling for prolonged periods.

* Denying attorneys access to the "secure" facility.

* Holding people without legal counsel for between 12 and 24 hours, including people as young as 15.

If proven true, these allegations represent a fundamental violation of American law and international human rights. They also demonstrate a deeply troubling lack of accountability for the staff and leadership of one of the largest law enforcement entities within the United States.

The world deserves the truth about what is happening at this facility and the people of Chicago deserve justice. Please Urge the US Attorney General to launch a full and impartial investigation of potential abuse and rights violations at Homan Square immediately.

Dear Attorney General Lynch,

I am deeply troubled by reports of abuse and rights violations at the Chicago Police Department's Homan Square interrogation facility and strongly urge the Department of Justice to launch a full and impartial investigation on reports that staff at the facility have:

* Kept arrestees out of official booking databases.
* Beaten detainees, resulting in head wounds.
* Shackled detainees for prolonged periods.
* Denied attorneys access to the “secure” facility.
* Held people without legal counsel for between 12 and 24 hours, including people as young as 15.

If proven true, these allegations represent a fundamental violation of American law and international human rights, and staff and city leadership should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

[Your comments here]

Thank you for considering my comments.

Sincerely,

[Your name]
Update #38 years ago
Your messages are making a difference! A while back, you signed my petition calling on the Department of Justice to investigate allegations of abuse at Chicago's Homan Square facility. Today, for the first time, the Attorney General acknowledged the importance of finding the truth about what has been called a "black site." Let's keep the pressure on: share the petition on Facebook or send a message on Twitter.
Update #28 years ago
The Chicago Police "disappeared" 7,000 people at its Homan Square facility for off-books interrogations, according to newly released findings from a lawsuit filed by The Guardian. Will you keep speaking out for justice? Please help spread the word to secure an investigation by the Department of Justice. Share this petition on Facebook or tweet the US Attorney General
Update #19 years ago
BREAKING: The Guardian reports, "Chicago police commander resigns in wake of Homan Square revelations"! Although no reason was given for the resignation of Nicholas Roti, who led the organized crime bureau based at Homan Square, it comes after reports of incommunicado detentions and other civil rights violations at the site. The pressure from you and 43,000 other Care2 members is being felt - we can't let up now! Will you share this petition with friends and family through email and Facebook?
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