From the United Electrical Workers (UE) Union:
Chicago, IL, April 27, 2009 – Union members from the former Republic Windows and Doors factory today welcomed Vice President Joe Biden, as he took a tour of the Goose Island, Chicago facility. The factory is in the process of being reopened under the ownership of California based Serious Materials.
A small crew has been working in the plant for a few weeks preparing to get the plant back to full production.
“We look forward to getting all our members rehired and working at Serious Materials to create green jobs at living wages,” said Armando Robles, President of UE Local 1110, a maintenance worker at the factory.
The union and Serious Materials reached an agreement in February ensuring that all former Republic employees will be rehired at their former rate of pay. The UE will continue to represent workers at the factory.
“We are glad to see that we have the continuing support of the White House. This would not have been possible without the hard work we have done as a union, and the support of our allies,” said UE Local Vice-President Melvin Maclin.
“The former Republic Windows and Doors shows that simply relying on market forces and unregulated banks and corporations cannot provide an economy that works for the American people,” said Carl Rosen, President of UE Western Region.
“We hope that the Administration and Congress continue to take the steps that are needed to ensure that everyone in our country who wants to work has a steady, decently-paid job that they can go to every day,” Rosen continued.
The workers made national headlines and inspired a movement in December when they held a six day occupation of the plant in order to win severance benefits after their employer broke the federal WARN Act by closing their plant with only three days notice, eliciting the support of President-elect Obama.
Workers from the plant are available for interview.
Serious Materials contact: Valerie Jenkins 408-636-6329
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Chicago's Latino Film Festival celebrates 25th year
By Curly Cohen
People's Weekly World
CHICAGO -- With four Cuban films and a live appearance by the island’s eminent actor, Jorge Perugorria, a documentary about Chicago-based labor organizer, immigrant rights and political activist, Rudy Lozano, Nicaragua’s Ernesto Cardinal presenting a documentary about his life’s work, 65 features, 45 short films and 50 directors and actors for questions and answers, the Chicago Latino Film Festival, sponsored by the International Latino Cultural Center, is packing a punch worthy of its 25th year.
While a Columbia College student taking ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, Pepe Vargas was aware of his own homesickness and the stamp of struggle that immigrants face. Vargas’ personal reality and films in Spanish was a way to connect to home and allow others a way to taste and understand people in a deeper way. The Latino Film Festival was born.
Vargas is still the director along with a small staff and hundreds of volunteers. The festival is year-round work. But Vargas thought of a larger, deeper connection with the International Latino Cultural Center, showcasing dance, comedy, fine arts, spoken word, literature, music in a building that houses that effort and excitement.
In an interview, Vargas explained, “The festival is the perfect combination of simple and very complicated. You buy a ticket, you watch a movie and maybe a whole new world opens up. The movies tell a story.
“This year, there are over 100 films from 18 countries. We have to screen about 300. There’s scheduling, customs, festival guide, transportation for actors, directors, special events and a very large outreach at Chicago public schools.
“Stories are the lifeblood – showing how diverse Latino culture is. And of course in 25 years, the population has changed. Latinos are now about 25 percent of the population, the economy, the culture. How do we learn and know who we are without these stories? Some films are more Hollywood, some are very controversial. We’re trying to tell the best stories that express a culture, and a culture that’s changing and becoming more dynamic.”
For more information www.latinoculturalcenter.org.
People's Weekly World
CHICAGO -- With four Cuban films and a live appearance by the island’s eminent actor, Jorge Perugorria, a documentary about Chicago-based labor organizer, immigrant rights and political activist, Rudy Lozano, Nicaragua’s Ernesto Cardinal presenting a documentary about his life’s work, 65 features, 45 short films and 50 directors and actors for questions and answers, the Chicago Latino Film Festival, sponsored by the International Latino Cultural Center, is packing a punch worthy of its 25th year.
While a Columbia College student taking ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, Pepe Vargas was aware of his own homesickness and the stamp of struggle that immigrants face. Vargas’ personal reality and films in Spanish was a way to connect to home and allow others a way to taste and understand people in a deeper way. The Latino Film Festival was born.
Vargas is still the director along with a small staff and hundreds of volunteers. The festival is year-round work. But Vargas thought of a larger, deeper connection with the International Latino Cultural Center, showcasing dance, comedy, fine arts, spoken word, literature, music in a building that houses that effort and excitement.
In an interview, Vargas explained, “The festival is the perfect combination of simple and very complicated. You buy a ticket, you watch a movie and maybe a whole new world opens up. The movies tell a story.
“This year, there are over 100 films from 18 countries. We have to screen about 300. There’s scheduling, customs, festival guide, transportation for actors, directors, special events and a very large outreach at Chicago public schools.
“Stories are the lifeblood – showing how diverse Latino culture is. And of course in 25 years, the population has changed. Latinos are now about 25 percent of the population, the economy, the culture. How do we learn and know who we are without these stories? Some films are more Hollywood, some are very controversial. We’re trying to tell the best stories that express a culture, and a culture that’s changing and becoming more dynamic.”
For more information www.latinoculturalcenter.org.
Chicago rallies for health care reform
By Will Hackman
CHICAGO -- Health Care for America Now and Citizen Action Illinois held a rally in support of President Barack Obama’s health care reform plan on April 18, at St. Augustine College here.
William McNary, president of USAction and co-director of Citizen Action Illinois, presided.
Union members from UFCW, SEIU and USW as well as advocates from Chicago Single-Payer Action Network and others packed the hall.
HCAN representative Steve Titus said the organization’s principal demands are: comprehensive benefits, affordable coverage, equal access to health care and, most salient, the option of a private or public health insurance plan.
Some supporters of HR 676 (a single-payer health care bill) stood outside the hall in protest of the public option as an unacceptable compromise with private insurance companies.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and co-sponsor of HR-676 answered criticisms from single-payer advocates. She said the public option is not a compromise, but a strategic step toward the single-payer system and the elimination of the private insurance industry.
The private sector is united in opposing any legislation that would expand publicly funded health care over and against the virtual monopoly of insurance companies.
The public option is simply the opening salvo against the private sector, Schakowsky and other speakers said.
Both Schakowsky and McNary stressed the need for solidarity among health care reform activists, in order to build mass support and momentum toward the goal of a single-payer system.
CHICAGO -- Health Care for America Now and Citizen Action Illinois held a rally in support of President Barack Obama’s health care reform plan on April 18, at St. Augustine College here.
William McNary, president of USAction and co-director of Citizen Action Illinois, presided.
Union members from UFCW, SEIU and USW as well as advocates from Chicago Single-Payer Action Network and others packed the hall.
HCAN representative Steve Titus said the organization’s principal demands are: comprehensive benefits, affordable coverage, equal access to health care and, most salient, the option of a private or public health insurance plan.
Some supporters of HR 676 (a single-payer health care bill) stood outside the hall in protest of the public option as an unacceptable compromise with private insurance companies.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and co-sponsor of HR-676 answered criticisms from single-payer advocates. She said the public option is not a compromise, but a strategic step toward the single-payer system and the elimination of the private insurance industry.
The private sector is united in opposing any legislation that would expand publicly funded health care over and against the virtual monopoly of insurance companies.
The public option is simply the opening salvo against the private sector, Schakowsky and other speakers said.
Both Schakowsky and McNary stressed the need for solidarity among health care reform activists, in order to build mass support and momentum toward the goal of a single-payer system.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Midway privatization falls through - GOOD!
The Daley administration announced the collapse of the $2.5 billion privatization of Midway Airport to Midway Investment and Development Corporation (MIDCo), an entity made up of Citi Infrastructure Investors, Vancouver Airport Services (YVRAS), and John Hancock Life Insurance Company.
This is great news for the people of Chicago. It gives us a chance to rediscuss the privatization policies of the Daley administration. Let's put everything on the table, all the facts and figures (something a coalition of labor and community groups demanded April 20 in a city hall protest) before something else gets sold off.
We need a real democratic discussion about how to fix the city's financial mess, not something rammed down our throats by Daley and his corporate cronies.
Privatization is not good financial policy nor is it good public policy. It seeks short term gain, but sacrifices long term revenues. It ends up costing the public more for the same services at an inferior quality. That's what happens when you apply the principle of maximum profit to public services.
One elected official described privatization as selling off the furniture to pay the rent.
The $2.5 billion Midway deal was rushed through city council last fall in one week with practically no discussion. Council members were livid, yet still voted for it 49-0. This was repeated with the parking meter privatization fiasco.
Among the many big problems with that deal that never really got widely discussed in public was the promise by the city to assume $10 million a year in police and fire protection. This would have essentially eaten up any net profit from the deal!
At the time, Lisa Schrader, deputy CEO for the city said, “The mayor [Richard M. Daley] feels strongly that city governments have to be creative in these economic times,” Schrader added. “That’s why the city pursues these deals.”
The "creative financing" always takes away from the city's working families and never from the wealthy and economic elite. The Daley policies of privatization follow the neo-liberal model that are crashing and burning everywhere. Instead we need policies that promote the role of government and build up the public sector.
And here's a suggestion to pay for public services: tax the rich!
This is great news for the people of Chicago. It gives us a chance to rediscuss the privatization policies of the Daley administration. Let's put everything on the table, all the facts and figures (something a coalition of labor and community groups demanded April 20 in a city hall protest) before something else gets sold off.
We need a real democratic discussion about how to fix the city's financial mess, not something rammed down our throats by Daley and his corporate cronies.
Privatization is not good financial policy nor is it good public policy. It seeks short term gain, but sacrifices long term revenues. It ends up costing the public more for the same services at an inferior quality. That's what happens when you apply the principle of maximum profit to public services.
One elected official described privatization as selling off the furniture to pay the rent.
The $2.5 billion Midway deal was rushed through city council last fall in one week with practically no discussion. Council members were livid, yet still voted for it 49-0. This was repeated with the parking meter privatization fiasco.
Among the many big problems with that deal that never really got widely discussed in public was the promise by the city to assume $10 million a year in police and fire protection. This would have essentially eaten up any net profit from the deal!
At the time, Lisa Schrader, deputy CEO for the city said, “The mayor [Richard M. Daley] feels strongly that city governments have to be creative in these economic times,” Schrader added. “That’s why the city pursues these deals.”
The "creative financing" always takes away from the city's working families and never from the wealthy and economic elite. The Daley policies of privatization follow the neo-liberal model that are crashing and burning everywhere. Instead we need policies that promote the role of government and build up the public sector.
And here's a suggestion to pay for public services: tax the rich!
Solidarity against racist, anti-union harassment
By John Bachtell
Bedford Park – Workers at Commercial Forged Products (CFP) have had enough. After signing a new contract last year, 60 members of USWA Local 2154 have endured a constant stream of attacks and African American and Latino workers have been targets of racist harassment. They are mounting a fight back for workplace dignity and equality.
Chicago Jobs with Justice and other labor, community and religious activists joined the workers on a spirited picket line in front of the company April 17 while jets from nearby Midway airport thundered overhead.
“I’ve been here for 14 ½ years, said Charles Gilyard, Local 2154 president. “The last three years the company has decided to attack the workers on civil rights. They have no concern for individual rights.”
Gilyard described how a former plant manager once held up a hangman’s noose to an African American worker. “This is what I used to do when I lived in Mississippi,” the manager told him.
The company, which once had a majority African American workforce, also tried to remove the MLK holiday and civil rights committee from the new contract because African American workers were no longer the majority. This upset all the workers, African American, Latino and white. They also saw it as a scheme by the company to sow division.
The workers went on strike when the company sought contract language to limit the local union’s president leave to one term in office, whether re-elected or not.
“They wanted to weaken our union,” said Bob, a retired white worker. “Charles Gilyard is one of the best presidents we’ve had. The company hates him because he’s a fighter.”
Said Gilyard. “And I have fought for the rights of the workers and cost the company a lot of money. They want me out.”
Over 150 grievances have been filed against the company in the last three years. In the 11 other workplaces that make up the amalgamated local, only 80 grievances have been filed.
Workers also charge the company with ignoring the contract including bypassing the seniority system. On the day of the picket line, the older workers were sent home early while the younger ones were kept working.
“They don’t use the contact, said JC Moore, who has worked 36 years at the plant. “We came back (from the strike) to a lot of hostility. They said it was a ‘new day’. They broke into lockers, stole legal papers, picked people they wanted to work.
“All we want is the right to be treated equally and to make a fair living regardless if you are Black, Hispanic or white,” said Moore.
“One of the managers wants to run the company like its his manor, said Jose Leon, a 5 year employee. “There are cameras inside. Workers are afraid to go to the bathroom and to talk to each other.”
Lorenzo McDonald brought greetings from the Illinois Federation of Teachers. He said the raw racism “sent me back to a place I’ve never been – the 1950s. That’s a shame. That’s why Barack Obama is in office – people want a change.”
Scott Marshall, an activist in the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees told the crowd, “To see this crowd of Black, Brown and white united saying no to racism gives one hope in the future. This is the face of the future.” Marshall urged everyone to fight for the Employee Free Choice Act to counter the attacks of the company.
A leader of the UAW Region 4, Mark Haasis, called for greater solidarity. The UAW was under attack too, he said. “I hope you’ll stand with autoworkers and whenever there’s a fight we’ll be there with you.”
“No more! Rich getting rich on the back of the workers,” shouted Pastor Chisholm of the Englewood Pastors Association. “We will stand united. God will support us.”
Chicago Coalition of Black Trade Unionists president Robert Simpson also joined the picket line. Simpson told the World the company “was trying to turn back the clock. But we fought too long and too hard and we bled too much. You can’t just take away rights and not expect them to fight. CBTU will stand with workers fighting anywhere and everywhere.”
CFP is a division of Wozniak Industries, a $100 million family owned business and maker of parts for John Deere and other farm implement companies.
Bedford Park – Workers at Commercial Forged Products (CFP) have had enough. After signing a new contract last year, 60 members of USWA Local 2154 have endured a constant stream of attacks and African American and Latino workers have been targets of racist harassment. They are mounting a fight back for workplace dignity and equality.
Chicago Jobs with Justice and other labor, community and religious activists joined the workers on a spirited picket line in front of the company April 17 while jets from nearby Midway airport thundered overhead.
“I’ve been here for 14 ½ years, said Charles Gilyard, Local 2154 president. “The last three years the company has decided to attack the workers on civil rights. They have no concern for individual rights.”
Gilyard described how a former plant manager once held up a hangman’s noose to an African American worker. “This is what I used to do when I lived in Mississippi,” the manager told him.
The company, which once had a majority African American workforce, also tried to remove the MLK holiday and civil rights committee from the new contract because African American workers were no longer the majority. This upset all the workers, African American, Latino and white. They also saw it as a scheme by the company to sow division.
The workers went on strike when the company sought contract language to limit the local union’s president leave to one term in office, whether re-elected or not.
“They wanted to weaken our union,” said Bob, a retired white worker. “Charles Gilyard is one of the best presidents we’ve had. The company hates him because he’s a fighter.”
Said Gilyard. “And I have fought for the rights of the workers and cost the company a lot of money. They want me out.”
Over 150 grievances have been filed against the company in the last three years. In the 11 other workplaces that make up the amalgamated local, only 80 grievances have been filed.
Workers also charge the company with ignoring the contract including bypassing the seniority system. On the day of the picket line, the older workers were sent home early while the younger ones were kept working.
“They don’t use the contact, said JC Moore, who has worked 36 years at the plant. “We came back (from the strike) to a lot of hostility. They said it was a ‘new day’. They broke into lockers, stole legal papers, picked people they wanted to work.
“All we want is the right to be treated equally and to make a fair living regardless if you are Black, Hispanic or white,” said Moore.
“One of the managers wants to run the company like its his manor, said Jose Leon, a 5 year employee. “There are cameras inside. Workers are afraid to go to the bathroom and to talk to each other.”
Lorenzo McDonald brought greetings from the Illinois Federation of Teachers. He said the raw racism “sent me back to a place I’ve never been – the 1950s. That’s a shame. That’s why Barack Obama is in office – people want a change.”
Scott Marshall, an activist in the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees told the crowd, “To see this crowd of Black, Brown and white united saying no to racism gives one hope in the future. This is the face of the future.” Marshall urged everyone to fight for the Employee Free Choice Act to counter the attacks of the company.
A leader of the UAW Region 4, Mark Haasis, called for greater solidarity. The UAW was under attack too, he said. “I hope you’ll stand with autoworkers and whenever there’s a fight we’ll be there with you.”
“No more! Rich getting rich on the back of the workers,” shouted Pastor Chisholm of the Englewood Pastors Association. “We will stand united. God will support us.”
Chicago Coalition of Black Trade Unionists president Robert Simpson also joined the picket line. Simpson told the World the company “was trying to turn back the clock. But we fought too long and too hard and we bled too much. You can’t just take away rights and not expect them to fight. CBTU will stand with workers fighting anywhere and everywhere.”
CFP is a division of Wozniak Industries, a $100 million family owned business and maker of parts for John Deere and other farm implement companies.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Coalition demands greater transparency of Chicago city finances
By John Bachtell
Chicago – With public outrage mounting over the privatization of the city’s parking meters, a coalition of labor and community groups and progressive aldermen called for greater transparency of the city budget and an accounting of the city’s privatization deals. The groups staged a protest in Chicago City Hall on April 20.
They claimed a $2.1 billion budget surplus exists including money from the parking meter and Chicago Skyway deals and funds hidden in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) accounts. After big one round of layoffs last fall Daley now says a new $300 million deficit has opened. He is demanding concessions from the city’s workforce or has threatened another 1,600 layoffs and service cuts.
“There’s $2.1 billion in assets sitting somewhere. We have been told this is a rainy day fund,” said Denise Dixon, Executive Director of Action Now. “I would call this a hurricane. We want to know how they are being spent.”
The groups also released poll results of 550 residents showing a growing dissatisfaction with essential services especially snow removal and street repair. Residents also want greater checks and balances on how money is spent with a greater role for city council.
“The largest percentage of people wants the surplus money to go for balancing the city budget and for paying for roads and infrastructure. Only 3% thought paying for the Olympics was a good idea,” said Genie Kastrup, political director of SEIU. Many suspect Daley is planning to use surplus funds on the 2016 Olympics should the city be chosen.
When asked if the 1,600 layoffs were necessary in light of the surplus, Tom Balanoff, president of the Illinois State Council of the Service Employees International Union said he didn’t know and that was exactly why transparency of city finances was necessary.
“The city is struggling through a sharp decline in services and the worst economic crisis in decades. Across Illinois there were 15,000 foreclosures in March, most in the city. Unemployment has topped 9%. We want to work together with the Mayor and City Council to solve this crisis, but we need open and transparent government and full accounting of all the funds available,” said Balanoff.
“The city council keeps getting press releases from Daley about the dire state of city finances,” said Alderman Toni Preckwinkle, but never gets full disclosure of the facts. Preckwinkle opposed the meter privatization with four other aldermen. She said many others complained about how the deal was rushed through city council by Daley and how ill informed they were on the details.
“We couldn’t check the facts. We’re selling off income streams. This won’t just affect the people of Chicago now but especially future generations. There’s a growing feeling theses are not in the city’s interests,” said Preckwinkle.
Alderman Manny Flores called for passage of the TIF Sunshine ordinance backed by 22 aldermen. Some of Daley’s council allies are attempting to block it.
“We are standing by our city and working for a greater degree of transparency and accountability,” said Flores. “This is a way for people to engage their city government.”
Balanoff told the World the City Council and the public should have had more input on the process of how the Federal stimulus money was being spent. Daley didn’t consult with anyone before he announced the list.
“We hope the money can be spent to help prevent foreclosures and create summer jobs to address the epidemic of youth violence which has claimed the lives of 33 young people this year. We have a very difficult economic future. We need the City Council to be a bigger part of the process and to all work together to solve this crisis,” he said.
In addition to SEIU, the coalition includes the Albany Park Neighborhood Council, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation, Illinois Public Interest Research Group, Citizen Action Illinois, ARISE Chicago, Northside POWER, Illinois Hunger Coalition, Kenwood-Oakland Community Organization, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Grassroots Collaborative, and Action Now.
Chicago – With public outrage mounting over the privatization of the city’s parking meters, a coalition of labor and community groups and progressive aldermen called for greater transparency of the city budget and an accounting of the city’s privatization deals. The groups staged a protest in Chicago City Hall on April 20.
They claimed a $2.1 billion budget surplus exists including money from the parking meter and Chicago Skyway deals and funds hidden in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) accounts. After big one round of layoffs last fall Daley now says a new $300 million deficit has opened. He is demanding concessions from the city’s workforce or has threatened another 1,600 layoffs and service cuts.
“There’s $2.1 billion in assets sitting somewhere. We have been told this is a rainy day fund,” said Denise Dixon, Executive Director of Action Now. “I would call this a hurricane. We want to know how they are being spent.”
The groups also released poll results of 550 residents showing a growing dissatisfaction with essential services especially snow removal and street repair. Residents also want greater checks and balances on how money is spent with a greater role for city council.
“The largest percentage of people wants the surplus money to go for balancing the city budget and for paying for roads and infrastructure. Only 3% thought paying for the Olympics was a good idea,” said Genie Kastrup, political director of SEIU. Many suspect Daley is planning to use surplus funds on the 2016 Olympics should the city be chosen.
When asked if the 1,600 layoffs were necessary in light of the surplus, Tom Balanoff, president of the Illinois State Council of the Service Employees International Union said he didn’t know and that was exactly why transparency of city finances was necessary.
“The city is struggling through a sharp decline in services and the worst economic crisis in decades. Across Illinois there were 15,000 foreclosures in March, most in the city. Unemployment has topped 9%. We want to work together with the Mayor and City Council to solve this crisis, but we need open and transparent government and full accounting of all the funds available,” said Balanoff.
“The city council keeps getting press releases from Daley about the dire state of city finances,” said Alderman Toni Preckwinkle, but never gets full disclosure of the facts. Preckwinkle opposed the meter privatization with four other aldermen. She said many others complained about how the deal was rushed through city council by Daley and how ill informed they were on the details.
“We couldn’t check the facts. We’re selling off income streams. This won’t just affect the people of Chicago now but especially future generations. There’s a growing feeling theses are not in the city’s interests,” said Preckwinkle.
Alderman Manny Flores called for passage of the TIF Sunshine ordinance backed by 22 aldermen. Some of Daley’s council allies are attempting to block it.
“We are standing by our city and working for a greater degree of transparency and accountability,” said Flores. “This is a way for people to engage their city government.”
Balanoff told the World the City Council and the public should have had more input on the process of how the Federal stimulus money was being spent. Daley didn’t consult with anyone before he announced the list.
“We hope the money can be spent to help prevent foreclosures and create summer jobs to address the epidemic of youth violence which has claimed the lives of 33 young people this year. We have a very difficult economic future. We need the City Council to be a bigger part of the process and to all work together to solve this crisis,” he said.
In addition to SEIU, the coalition includes the Albany Park Neighborhood Council, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation, Illinois Public Interest Research Group, Citizen Action Illinois, ARISE Chicago, Northside POWER, Illinois Hunger Coalition, Kenwood-Oakland Community Organization, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Grassroots Collaborative, and Action Now.
Police torture victim Clements seeks state intervention in case
From the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Chicago Chapter:
April 17
Attorneys for Mark Clements, who has been imprisoned since 1981 when he was 16 years old, moved today for the appointment of Special State's Attorney Stuart A. Nudelman to represent the State's position in Clements post conviction proceeding, The motion was filed before Cook County Criminal Courts Chief Judge Paul Biebel, who last week appointed Nudelman, a retired judge, to take over the state's cases in instances of alleged torture of defendants by detectives working under now retired Commander Jon Burge.
The motion will be heard and may be argued before Judge Biebel at 9:00 am Tuesday in Courtroom 101 at 26th and California.
In their motion Attorneys for Clements state that the appointment is necessary because "Detective Daniel McWeeny, who Clements alleges participated directly in eliciting Clements' false confession through psychological and physical abuse, and who has been the subject of numerous similar claims of systematic coercion, was subsequently employed by the Cook County State's Attorney as an investigator for over a decade, until 2007."
The attorneys note, "McWeeny's integral role in the systematic torture that occurred throughout the 1980s and 1990s in Area 2 and Area 3 Chicago Police Headquarters exacerbates the potential conflict" which should prohibit the State's Attorney from defending this case. "McWeeny not only worked for the [Cook County State's Attorney's Office (CCSAO)] while Clements' post-conviction case was being litigated but McWeeny also worked for the CCSAO when this Court held that Devine's potential conflict extended to the entire CCSAO."
Clements was arrested and beaten until he confessed to an arson murder in which four people died in 1981. He was 16 years old and could not read or write. There was no material evidence linking Clements to the crime, and investigators have now learned who the actual perpetrators were.
For an updated fact sheet on the frame-up of Mark Clements and the case, please go to http://www.naarpr.org/node/4
April 17
Attorneys for Mark Clements, who has been imprisoned since 1981 when he was 16 years old, moved today for the appointment of Special State's Attorney Stuart A. Nudelman to represent the State's position in Clements post conviction proceeding, The motion was filed before Cook County Criminal Courts Chief Judge Paul Biebel, who last week appointed Nudelman, a retired judge, to take over the state's cases in instances of alleged torture of defendants by detectives working under now retired Commander Jon Burge.
The motion will be heard and may be argued before Judge Biebel at 9:00 am Tuesday in Courtroom 101 at 26th and California.
In their motion Attorneys for Clements state that the appointment is necessary because "Detective Daniel McWeeny, who Clements alleges participated directly in eliciting Clements' false confession through psychological and physical abuse, and who has been the subject of numerous similar claims of systematic coercion, was subsequently employed by the Cook County State's Attorney as an investigator for over a decade, until 2007."
The attorneys note, "McWeeny's integral role in the systematic torture that occurred throughout the 1980s and 1990s in Area 2 and Area 3 Chicago Police Headquarters exacerbates the potential conflict" which should prohibit the State's Attorney from defending this case. "McWeeny not only worked for the [Cook County State's Attorney's Office (CCSAO)] while Clements' post-conviction case was being litigated but McWeeny also worked for the CCSAO when this Court held that Devine's potential conflict extended to the entire CCSAO."
Clements was arrested and beaten until he confessed to an arson murder in which four people died in 1981. He was 16 years old and could not read or write. There was no material evidence linking Clements to the crime, and investigators have now learned who the actual perpetrators were.
For an updated fact sheet on the frame-up of Mark Clements and the case, please go to http://www.naarpr.org/node/4
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)