Open Meeting: Taking Action Against Police Sexual Assault & Violence in Chicago
Wednesday, June 29th 7PM - 9PM
Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
800 South Halsted, RDH 1st Floor, Chicago, IL

On June 1st, Chicago police officers Paul Clavijo and Juan Vasquez were indicted on charges of criminal sexual assault and official misconduct for their actions against a 22 year old woman (Jane Doe). This case comes in the wake of the police sexual assault against 20 year old Tiawanda Moore. After being assaulted, Ms. Moore attempted to advocate for herself and recorded an officer's misconduct on her cell phone. For this she was charged with two counts of eavesdropping, and if found guilty, will face up to fifteen years in prison.

In both of these cases, the CPD and the media have taken a victim-blaming stance, minimizing the seriousness of the assaults, and suggesting 'justifications' for rape. Similar cases of police sexual assault across the country have garnered national attention in recent months.

In response to these cases and others like them, a group of activists has started to organize around potential ways to respond to police sexual assault and violence.

We are holding an open organizing meeting, and we welcome anyone interested in making our city safer for women, queer people, trans folks, sex workers, people of color, and other groups that are often targets of police brutality.

In the interest of solidarity and support for victims, we are organizing to discuss and develop actions and sustainable strategies for advocating for an end to institutional violence. Please come and share your thoughts on effective strategies for fighting for an end to sexual assault and police violence in our community!

For background info:
www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/08/chicago-district-attorney-recording-bad-cops_n_872921.html

news.change.org/stories/victim-faces-jail-time-while-more-chicago-cops-commit-sexual-assault

www.suntimes.com/news/5340648-417/victim-assaulted-by-2-chicago-cops-so-drunk-she-couldnt-consent-prosecutors.html

www.wbez.org/story/two-chicago-police-officers-charged-criminal-sexual-assault-86444

www.law.uchicago.edu/news/mandel111407