From Healing to Action With Chicago Torture Justice Memorials

24091 Banners IH Event Page Banner nofilter
When

Jan 26, 2023
5:30pm–7:00pm

Where

Chicago Torture Justice Center
6337 S Woodlawn Ave
Chicago, IL 60637

Cost

Free
Open to the public

Together with artists, activists, community leaders, and survivors of police torture, From Healing to Action presents an evening of art, storytelling, and community presented by Illinois Humanities, Chicago Torture Justice Memorials (CTJM), and the Chicago Torture Justice Center in Woodlawn. Learn about the history of police torture in Chicago and the movement for healing and reparations from those at its forefront with a short screening of CTJM’s Narrating the Struggle for Justice for Police Torture Survivors, a healing exercise led by artist and educator Patricia Nguyen, and a reception with screen printing provided by PO Box Collective, collaborative quilt-making with artist and activist Dorothy Burge, and food by Celebrations by Us.

24091 Banners IH Event Page Banner nofilter

We hope you’ll join us to learn about how each of us can contribute to bringing about restoration, reparations, and justice for state violence.

What to expect: This event is recommended for guests ages 16 and up. Some content may be challenging, and guests are encouraged to participate at their own pace. A quiet space will be available to allow guests to take time for themselves, and staff and community members will be present to offer support.

This event is presented in partnership with Chicago Torture Justice Memorials, the Chicago Torture Justice Center, PO Box Collective, the University of Chicago’s Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture, the Human Rights Lab, and Bridge.

Transit and Parking

The Chicago Torture Justice Center is located at 6337 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL 60637. A parking lot is available behind the building, accessible from Woodlawn Ave. The Center is also just off of the 63 bus line and a short walk from the Green line and Metra.

About Chicago Torture Justice Memorials

Chicago Torture Justice Memorials (CTJM) honors and seeks justice for the survivors of Chicago police torture, their family members, and the African American communities affected by torture.

In 2013, a Reparations Ordinance was drafted to provide redress to approximately 120 African American men and women subjected to racially-motivated torture, including electric shock, mock executions, suffocation and beatings by now former Police Commander Jon Burge and his subordinates from 1972 through 1991. CTJM led the effort to introduce the ordinance into Chicago’s City Council. Finally on May 6, 2015, after decades of grassroots struggle, the Chicago City Council passed the reparations package for torture survivors and their family members. Now, the collective is advocating for its implementation while continuing to provide specialized trauma services to  torture survivors, their family members, and the surrounding community at the Chicago Torture Justice Center in Woodlawn.

 

Police Torture Survivors Pushing For Memorial Urge Mayoral Candidates To Support Effort

The memorial was promised as part of the city’s 2015 reparations package. Two of the police torture survivors have died in the seven-year wait for it.

READ ABOUT CTJM IN BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO

About Narrating the Struggle for Justice for Police Torture Survivors

Narrating the Struggle for Justice for Police Torture Survivors is a series of short films developed by artist and activist collective Chicago Torture Justice Memorials (CTJM). Each video tells the stories of survivors of police torture and the sites throughout the city of Chicago connected with their histories, or their healing. The work is one of 14 multi-disciplinary projects featured in Envisioning Justice RE:ACTION, an exhibition and activation kit using the arts and humanities to imagine a future without mass incarceration.

Partners
Bridge container black sized 600x163
Polk Bros Logo 600x379 1
CSRPC with bars 600x193
CTJM CTJC Logos 600x252
Lab Logo transparent background 1 600x149
PO box collective
Funders
Polk Bros Logo 600x379
SHARE