The high-powered grassroots organizational machine and its energetic young members gathered in Chicago April 4-6 for their annual human rights general meeting to address abuses taking place right here in the United States of America. But not only that, they will continue to fight against the death penalty, mass incarceration and on April 5, Mr. Hawkins announced the AIUSA plans to lead one million people in a march in Washington, D.C., to end gun violence.
Mr. Hawkins talked about an incident 30 years ago in which he lost a young 16-year-old whom he mentored, who was shot to death. AIUSA will continue to be involved in other issues such as mass surveillance and women’s rights because the battles are far from over.
“We know it is a long struggle, and so is the struggle a long one to get justice for the victims of torture,” said Mr. Hawkins.
In 1991, Amnesty International’s report calling on the City of Chicago to investigate police torture complaints led to the firing of notorious Cmdr. Jon Burge in 1993. The fight for justice has continued resulting in a reparations ordinance. AIUSA members marched April 4th in support of that ordinance which calls for financial compensation, public memorials, a formal apology, psychological counseling and vocational training and history lessons to be integrated into the curriculum of the Chicago Public School system.
“We are so happy and proud to have Amnesty International step back in and fight for justice for the Chicago police torture survivors,” said Atty. Joey Mogul of the People’s Law Office. “We can send a message that no law enforcement is above the law, or beyond the long arm of the law.”