Farrakhan Speaks: Demands Justice for Jon Burge Torture Victims
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April 23, 2009
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Farrakhan Speaks: Demands Justice for Jon Burge Torture Victims
CHICAGO—The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan will speak in support of Cortez Brown and all victims of police brutality and torture on Saturday, April 25th at Life Center Church of God in Christ (5500 S. Indiana). Brown is a victim of torture by indicted former Commander Jon Burge and his subordinates within the Chicago Police Department. Doors open at 3:30pm and program begins at 4pm. Admission is free.
Along with Min. Farrakhan, the scheduled speakers include Father Michael Pfleger, Attorney Locke Bowman and Alderman Ed Smith. Min. Farrakhan appeared at a court hearing earlier this month in support of Cortez Brown and has pledged to attend the next court appearance on April 29.
In 1990, at age 19, Cortez Brown was tortured by Chicago Police Officers forcing him to confess to two murders. Cortez was sentenced to 35 years in one case and death in the other. He was on death row until former Gov. George Ryan commuted his sentence to life in prison. Cortez maintains his innocence in both cases and has been fighting for his freedom ever since.
In the past three decades hundreds of Black men have accused Burge of torture. Last fall, FBI agents arrested the 60-year-old at his home in
The indictment charges that Burge during his time as an Area 2 detective commander lied and impeded court proceedings in November 2003 when he provided false written answers to questions in a civil lawsuit alleging him and others abused suspects in their custody.
