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On June 4, 2010, the newly formed Illinois Coalition Against Torture (ICAT) offered a panel discussion on U.S. sponsored torture.  Held at DePaul University in Chicago, the timing of this educational event coincided with Torture Awareness Month and the trial of former Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge who is being tried for perjury in connection to the torture of individuals whom he and those under his command interrogated after their arrest. The panel included Darrell Cannon who was falsely imprisoned for twenty-three years.  He confessed to a crime he did not commit after being tortured by Burge and others.  

Earlier in the week, ICAT held a press conference at the Dirksen Federal Building calling for state and federal legislation to criminalize acts of torture committed by law enforcement officials in Illinois and the U.S., new hearings for over twenty Chicago police torture survivors who were wrongfully convicted and remain incarcerated in the State of Illinois, and reparations for torture survivors from the city of Chicago, including the cost of treatment and counseling.

ICAT is an association of individuals and community-based organizations whose goal is to end U.S. sanctioned torture at home and abroad and the culture of impunity that has arisen alongside it by promoting public awareness and political change through educational outreach and legislative initiatives.  In 2010, ICAT is pursuing a two-pronged agenda: promoting education and awareness by means of lectures, conferences, press outreach; and proposing and advocating state and federal legislation to criminalize acts of torture by law enforcement officials.

For additional information about ICAT, please contact Br. Michael Gosch, CSV, at (847) 637-2146.