City of Chicago Becomes First in the Nation to Formally Oppose Torture
1/18/2012
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=198783

Members of the Viatorian Community oppose all forms of torture and now they see their mission spreading to the City of Chicago. During a City Council meeting on Wednesday, members voted unanimously to approve a resolution that opposes torture, making the Chicago the first “torture-free zone” in the nation.

Alderman Joe Moore introduced the resolution last November, declaring that “the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Chicago stand firm against all forms of torture and inhuman treatment, and hearby proclaim Chicago to be a torture-free zone.”

Members of the Viatorians helped to start the Illinois Coalition Against Torture (ICAT), which helped bring the resolution to Ald. Moore’s attention. ICAT members gained 3,500 signatures of people who supported the anti-torture resolution.

“This resolution is an important first step,” says Bob Palmer of ICAT, “in making it clear that the people of Chicago will not tolerate the practice of torture.”

Members of city’s Committee on Human Relations approved the resolution last week, after an impassioned press conference, attended by members of the Viatorians. It featured Mary Johnson of Chicago, whose son was tortured by former Chicago Police Commander John Burge, as well as Mario Venegas, a Chilean survivor of torture, Debra Erenberg with Amnesty International and U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, among others.

“As Viatorians, we are committed to standing with those who are accounted of little importance --- including victims of torture,” says Fr. Thomas Long, CSV.

Follow up article - Anti-torture resolution is a Band-Aid, but advocates are glad to have it.