News Stories about Voices

6 Years Without Justice

Joshua Brollier — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:37:18 -0500

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News coverage from police torture rally at Lisa Madigan's office

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Alleged CPD torture victims call for new hearings

Photo: ABC 7

April 6, 2009 (CHICAGO) (WLS) — Activists and former prisoners who say they were tortured into making false confessions rallied outside the Thompson Center Monday.

They are calling on attorney general Lisa Madigan to initiate hearings for all victims of Chicago police torture under former commander Jon Burge.

Burge was indicted last year on charges related to acts of torture.

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Alleged CPD torture victims call for new hearings ABC 7 News

April 6, 2009 (CHICAGO) (WLS) — Activists and former prisoners who say they were tortured into making false confessions rallied outside the Thompson Center Monday.

They are calling on attorney general Lisa Madigan to initiate hearings for all victims of Chicago police torture under former commander Jon Burge.

Burge was indicted last year on charges related to acts of torture.

Photo: ABC 7

Monday’s rally comes six years after Madigan was appointed to oversee prosecution of the Burge torture case and a day before a judge will rule on moving five cases to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.

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Police torture activists stonewalled at Lisa Madigan’s office

Chicago Progressive Examiner

Monday, April 06, 2009

Judge Paul Biebel is expected to rule today on a request by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to hand five torture cases related to former Chicago Police Cmdr. Jon Burge back to the Cook County State’s Attorney. Several community organizations tried to put Madigan’s feet to the fire yesterday by holding a rally and press conference in front of the Thompson Center; among the speakers was David Bates, who did time for a murder he says he didn’t commit but confessed to after enduring nearly two days of torture by detectives working under Burge.

After the rally, activists entered the Thompson Center in an attempt to make their case to Madison’s staff. State of Illinois police officer Jesse Harris Jr. intercepted the group at the lobby; after a couple of tense minutes, Harris agreed to allow five people to go up to Madigan’s 12th floor office — but not media.

The delegation, which included Gates and relatives of other alleged victims of police torture and brutality, met with Cara Smith, Madigan’s deputy chief of staff. “They pressed Madigan to take action on these cases, and they extended an invitation for her to talk us in a public town hall meeting,” said Julien Ball of the Campaign to End the Death Penalty, one of the groups behind the rally. “She listened but didn’t make any promises.”

This week has seen much media speculation about Madigan’s intention to run for governor and the far-reaching impact of her pending decision, which may help explain why she seems keen on dropping the arduous task of sorting through one of the most sordid chapters in Chicago police history on somebody else’s lap. Prosecuting can anger cops, while not doing so angers the African-American community that took the brunt of the Burge regime’s fury, and this kind of thing tends to get in the way of political ambitions.

Ball said activists are debating what steps to take if the torture cases are handed to Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez. “She accused some of the old guard of inaction during her campaign, but she hasn’t said whether she plans to prosecute torture cases. We will be watching very attentively.”

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Coverage in the Tribune

Chicago Breaking News Center
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Photos from the rally

Video from the rally

From the Trenches for January: Camp Hope, Witness Against Torture

Joshua Brollier — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:37:14 -0600

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Chicago Indymedia Covers Camp Hope

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February 3, 2009

The January 2009 episode of Chicago Indymedia’s monthly radio show “From The Trenches” features the following: Camp Hope, a 19 day demonstration organized by Voices for Creative Nonviolence opens in Hyde Park; Also, Camp Hope’s forum — Witness Against Torture: From Guantanamo to the Streets of Chicago with speakers: Sonia De Santiago, Marc Falkoff, and Flint Taylor. And, a visit to the Fox Valley Electric Auto Association and a conversion class at Morton Community College in Cicero.

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February 3, 2009

The anatomy of a march: Veterans for Peace event ends in arrests

Jeff Leys — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 09:59:39 -0500

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WITNESS AGAINST WAR 2008: From Chicago to St. Paul

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August 31, 2008
By Jeff Severns Guntzel
Minnesota Independent

When Code Pink’s Medea Benjamin took the stage at the Veterans for Peace rally in front of the State Capitol building today, where hundreds of activists gathered before marching towards the Xcel Energy Center, she started with the string of weekend raids on her mind: “This is not the Midwestern welcome we expected!”

Her audience cheered — among them a vet hoisting a desert-camo anti-war flag:

A cadre of protesters were clad in orange jumpsuits meant to evoke those worn by prisoners at the controversial Guantanamo Bay prison. The held black hoods in their hands and stuck signs to their backs — on each sign was printed the name, age and story of a living, breathing Guantanamo detainee:

CONTINUE READING the Story with photos at Minnesota Independent

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August 31, 2008
By Jeff Severns Guntzel
Minnesota Independent

Her audience cheered — among them a vet hoisting a desert-camo anti-war flag:

CONTINUE READING the Story with photos at Minnesota Independent

Veterans for Peace march ends in 9 arrests in civil disobedience at RNC

Jeff Leys — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 19:36:55 -0500

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Veterans for Peace march ends in 9 arrests in civil disobedience at RNC

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August 31, 2008

(Noted: Veterans for Peace and CODEPINK organized this march. Dan Pearson and Josh Brollier, both Witness Against War participants, and Steve Clemens, a who traveled to Iraq in 2002 with Voices in the Wilderness, were arrested in this act of nonviolent civil disobedience)

View Fox-9 News Coverage

Nine Protesters Entering Restricted Area Arrested Sunday for Trespassing

A group of anti-war protesters went underneath a security barrier near the Xcel Center as an act of civil disobedience. Nine were arrested for trespassing.

Police in riot gear arrested nine people protesting at the Xcel Center Sunday, after they entered a restricted area secured by a fence. The protesters marched from the capitol to the Xcel Center, protesting the war in Iraq and the treatment of veterans coming home.

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August 31, 2008

View Fox-9 News Coverage

Nine Protesters Entering Restricted Area Arrested Sunday for Trespassing

A group of anti-war protesters went underneath a security barrier near the Xcel Center as an act of civil disobedience. Nine were arrested for trespassing.

Doug Holtz, a St. Paul police commander, said that nine people were arrested for trespassing after they passed a police roadblock into a restricted area. Eight of the nine have since been released.

They said they had planned ahead of time to cross the fence in an act of civil disobedience, and had announced their intent before the march. About 250 people watched the march.

“We are going to march into the arms of police. Whatever they are going to do is all right with us,” organizer David Harris said to the marchers before they entered the restricted zone. Harris was one of those arrested. He says the march wasn’t aimed towards Republicans, but “warmakers.”

The march was otherwise peaceful on its way from the state Capitol, organized by Veterans for Peace and peace group CodePink. As the march began, Harris read the names of soldiers and civilians killed in Iraq.

According to the Associated Press, among those arrested were: 72-year-old Jeanne Hynes, 78-year-old Betty McKenzie, 57-year-old Steve Clemens, David Harris, Duncan Hardee, and others not identified.

By 5 p.m. Sunday, eight of the nine arrested had been cited and released. The last, Duncan Hardee, is still in custody because he had no identification and Ramsey County authorities had to verify it.

The arrested can legally be held for 36 hours, not including the weekend or Labor Day holiday.

Friday night and Saturday morning, six members of the anarchist group the RNC Welcoming Committee were arrested after authorities found knives, axes, bomb-making materials and anti-war literature. It doesn’t appear that those six people arrested will be released in time to take part in the large protest planned for Monday, and are not required by law to be released until noon Wednesday.

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WITNESS AGAINST WAR 2008: From Chicago to St. Paul

A 500 Mile Walk to the RNC - KARE TV in the Twin Cities

Jeff Leys — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 07:58:41 -0500

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WITNESS AGAINST WAR 2008: From Chicago to St. Paul

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August 29, 2008

Watch Video Report from KARE-11

The road to St. Paul and the Republican National Convention started more than a month ago for one anti-war group. Members have spent July and August walking here from Chicago.

After 49 days and more than 475 miles the Witness Against War marchers are still going strong.

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The August 29 news report from KARE 11 in Minneapplis - St. Paul

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August 29, 2008

Watch Video Report from KARE-11

The road to St. Paul and the Republican National Convention started more than a month ago for one anti-war group. Members have spent July and August walking here from Chicago.

After 49 days and more than 475 miles the Witness Against War marchers are still going strong.

“Interacting with normal people. Getting our message across (is the important part),” marcher Paul Melling said.

“We believe passionately that there are alternatives. We could rely on negotiation and diplomacy,” marcher Kathy Kelly added.

Organized by a Voices For Creative Nonviolence, this group, which includes retired teachers, students and vets, is spreading its message of peace one step, one mile, one meeting at a time.

“There was this one woman. I’ll never forget what she said,” recalled marcher Alice Gerard. “I support what you’re doing. My son is in Iraq for the fifth time. I just want him to come home.”

“Nearly every stop of the way, we were able to connect with folks. And yeah, it’s encouraging to see all that’s going on in the tiny little communities through Wisconsin and Minnesota.

As they log miles down busy city streets and over country roads this group holds both Republicans and Democrats responsible for the war.

“Both parties need to be held accountable,” marcher Lauren Cannon said.

And, members say, they are calling on every person they encounter to be part of a solution.

“I wanted very much to make a statement about how each of us is responsible,” Kelly added.

“Take some responsibility upon ourselves and do what we can to bring about an end to this war in Iraq,” Pearson said.

It’s a message these marchers say they’ll keep delivering all the way to St. Paul.

Local activist makes 500-mile trek to oppose war in Iraq and Afghanistan

Jeff Leys — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

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WITNESS AGAINST WAR 2008: From Chicago to St. Paul

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August 28, 2008
Clarksville, TN Online

Witness Against War is a 450-mile walk from Chicago to Saint Paul to challenge and non-violently resist our nation’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The campaign seeks to hold both major political parties, both Democrat and Republican, accountable and responsible for continuing and ending the Iraq war.

The journey began in the City of Chicago, site of the 1968 Democratic Party convention in the midst of the Vietnam War. The walk will conclude on August 31 in St. Paul — in time for the start of the 2008 Republican Party convention in the midst of the Iraq war.

Joshua Brollier joined the walk in Chicago on July 12th and has participated in awareness events and community forums along the route to St. Paul. The walkers will convene there on August 29th to march in step with the Veterans for Peace at the Republican National Convention protests.

CONTINUE READING AT CLARKSVILLE ON-LINE, INCLUDES PHOTOS

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Clarksville, TN article on participation of Joshua Brollier in Witness Against War.

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August 28, 2008
Clarksville, TN Online

CONTINUE READING AT CLARKSVILLE ON-LINE, INCLUDES PHOTOS

Peace activists march into Red Wing

voices — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:52:15 -0500

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WITNESS AGAINST WAR 2008: From Chicago to St. Paul

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The Republican Eagle
By Mike Longaecker
August 25, 2008

Red Wing was a welcome sight Sunday for a group of peace activists.

Of course, their destination — St. Paul — may be even more so, once they’ve completed their mission. Members of the peace group Witness to War stopped here for a couple days in the midst of an approximately 500-mile walk from Chicago to St. Paul.

“It re-energized us,” Voices for Creative Nonviolence activist Joshua Brollier said Monday, recalling how local supporters joined up with the group as they passed into town.

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Red Wing, MN: News article in The Republican Eagle

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The Republican Eagle
By Mike Longaecker
August 25, 2008

Red Wing was a welcome sight Sunday for a group of peace activists.

“It re-energized us,” Voices for Creative Nonviolence activist Joshua Brollier said Monday, recalling how local supporters joined up with the group as they passed into town.

The group, which began its trek in mid-July, stops in cities to present is main message of nonviolent resistance to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The group on Monday took to the stage at Hobgoblin Music Loft, where several of the walkers explained why they undertook the effort.

The peace effort has a long history of marches and walks, Brollier said.

“We want to kind of follow in that tradition,” he said.

Others who have spent time in Iraq shared their stories.

Co-coordinator Kathy Kelly watched Iraqi children grind their teeth and lose their bladders as bombs fell all around them in 2003.

As a peace activist, Kelly was present in Iraq during the initial “shock and awe” campaign, which left parts of Baghdad blown to smithereens.

“We’ve seen the consequences of war,” Kelly said Monday in an interview with the R-E.

Witness Against War organizers note that the walk’s staging point in Chicago was also home to the historic riots that took place during the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

Despite the mention, Kelly said the group has no intention of re-creating the violence that marred the convention.

“It’s our responsibility to galvanize the public opinion … into an experience that will reach elected officials and people aspiring toward elected office,” she said.

Their feet, however, won’t get immediate rest in St. Paul.

The group will join up with other activists marching from the Capitol to the Xcel Energy Center, where this year’s Republican National Convention is being held.

Members of the group, which swells to about 40 people in stages, acknowledged that they have experienced resistance along the way. Their tack is to engage antagonists with gentle words, an approach Kelly said has changed some minds.

“Quite often, people go away feeling there’s more in common between us than what divides us,” she said.

Michael Bayly traveled from St. Paul for Monday’s presentation at Hobgoblin. Witness Against War members painted a much more detailed picture of the war in Iraq than he said he’s used to seeing in the mainstream media.

“It’s encouraging to see people take such a strong stand and make such sacrifices,” Bayly said.

The group leaves today for Diamond Bluff, and then on to Prescott, Wis.

Peace activists march into Red Wing

Jeff Leys — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:01:01 -0500

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WITNESS AGAINST WAR 2008: From Chicago to St. Paul

Excerpt

August 25, 2008

Mike Longaecker
The Red Wing Republican Eagle

Red Wing was a welcome sight Sunday for a group of peace activists.

“It re-energized us,” Voices for Creative Nonviolence activist Joshua Brollier said Monday, recalling how local supporters joined up with the group as they passed into town.

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News report from Red Wing, MN

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August 25, 2008

Mike Longaecker
The Red Wing Republican Eagle

Red Wing was a welcome sight Sunday for a group of peace activists.

“It re-energized us,” Voices for Creative Nonviolence activist Joshua Brollier said Monday, recalling how local supporters joined up with the group as they passed into town.

The group, which began its trek in mid-July, stops in cities to present is main message of nonviolent resistance to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The group on Monday took to the stage at Hobgoblin Music Loft, where several of the walkers explained why they undertook the effort.

The peace effort has a long history of marches and walks, Brollier said.

“We want to kind of follow in that tradition,” he said.

Others who have spent time in Iraq shared their stories.

Co-coordinator Kathy Kelly watched Iraqi children grind their teeth and lose their bladders as bombs fell all around them in 2003.

As a peace activist, Kelly was present in Iraq during the initial “shock and awe” campaign, which left parts of Baghdad blown to smithereens.

“We’ve seen the consequences of war,” Kelly said Monday in an interview with the R-E.

Witness Against War organizers note that the walk’s staging point in Chicago was also home to the historic riots that took place during the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

Despite the mention, Kelly said the group has no intention of re-creating the violence that marred the convention.

“It’s our responsibility to galvanize the public opinion … into an experience that will reach elected officials and people aspiring toward elected office,” she said.

Their feet, however, won’t get immediate rest in St. Paul.

The group will join up with other activists marching from the Capitol to the Xcel Energy Center, where this year’s Republican National Convention is being held.

“Quite often, people go away feeling there’s more in common between us than what divides us,” she said.

“It’s encouraging to see people take such a strong stand and make such sacrifices,” Bayly said.

The group leaves today for Diamond Bluff, and then on to Prescott, Wis.

Activists take a walk to make a point -- Wabasha, MN

Jeff Leys — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

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WITNESS AGAINST WAR 2008: From Chicago to St. Paul

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August 25, 2008

By Dawn Schuett
Rochester Post-Bulletin

WABASHA — For one group of activists, getting to St. Paul for the Republican National Convention is a slow journey and one that’s bringing them to southeast Minnesota. Every mile is an opportunity to deliver their message to passing motorists or curious bystanders. Each stop is a moment to explain their viewpoints.

“It’s a chance to meet people right in their front yard,” said Marie Kovecsi, a teacher from Winona who is participating this week in Witness Against War, a 450-mile walk from Chicago to St. Paul.

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News report from Wabasha, MN

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August 25, 2008

By Dawn Schuett
Rochester Post-Bulletin

Organized by the Chicago-based Voices for Creative Nonviolence, the walk is a campaign to “challenge and nonviolently resist the war and occupation of Iraq,” said Dan Pearson, co-coordinator of the anti-war group. Voices for Creative Nonviolence supports a complete and immediate withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Iraq. It’s also calling for the full funding of the highest quality health care, housing and education for U.S. veterans and full funding by the U.S. for the reconstruction of Iraq.

The walk began July 12 and has followed a route through Wisconsin to La Crosse and north along the Mississippi River. On Aug. 10, the group was protesting at the Fort McCoy military base near Sparta, Wis., when 13 participants were arrested for trespassing. All were later released from custody. The number of walkers varies from day to day depending on how many locals join in temporarily.

The group stopped in Winona earlier this week before continuing along the river on the Wisconsin side. Nine walkers made it to Nelson, Wis., on Thursday and in the evening, participants joined the River Cities Alliance for Peace for a public discussion at Eagle’s Nest Coffee House in Wabasha. A similar program is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at Hobgoblin Music in Red Wing.

Pearson said the group has encountered a few individuals who don’t agree with its message but “it’s very clear at this point that the tide of public opinion has turned against the war.”

Kovecsi feels so strongly about the issue that she had to walk with the group if only for a few days.

“I knew it was something I wanted to be involved with,” she said.

Dawn Schuett covers news in Goodhue and Wabasha counties. If you have news tips or story ideas, call her at 281-7487.

Walk Against the Wars -- Winona, MN

Jeff Leys — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 02:01:01 -0500

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WITNESS AGAINST WAR 2008: From Chicago to St. Paul

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August 17, 2008
By Dietrich Nissen
KAAL-TV — Winona, MN

Watch Video

(ABC 6 NEWS) - They’re walking more than 450 miles to prove the point that they want an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It’s been a long walk for Kathy Kelly. She’s part of the Witness Against War group, that’s making its way from Chicago to St. Paul.

“We’ve just crossed into the wonderful state of Minnesota after walking through Illinois and Wisconsin,” said Kelly.

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August 17, 2008
By Dietrich Nissen
KAAL-TV — Winona, MN

Watch Video

(ABC 6 NEWS) - They’re walking more than 450 miles to prove the point that they want an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It’s been a long walk for Kathy Kelly. She’s part of the Witness Against War group, that’s making its way from Chicago to St. Paul.

“We’ve just crossed into the wonderful state of Minnesota after walking through Illinois and Wisconsin,” said Kelly.

The trip started on July 21. The walkers hope to reach the Twin Cities right before the Republican National Convention.

“We hold both parties responsible,” Kelly said.

“Just the walking has in itself been a blessing, and it’s been wonderful to have formed a community along the road and to be received by so many fine people,” said Kelly.

But not everyone along the way has been so welcoming.

Some members of the group were arrested for trying to enter Fort McCoy in Wisconsin.

Drivers are upset about the group’s message.

“This morning somebody leaned out of his car. He was so angry, he said an expletive and don’t rebuild Iraq. We need that money. It’s our money,” Kelly said.

“It’s a good way to get the word out,” said Paul Melling, a veteran of the Iraq War who also drives the protester’s support bus.

“I’ve gotten a lot of support from these people they’ve helped me out a lot you know so I try and support them,” said Melling.

“We’ve certainly been happy to receive the hospitality of so many people through this Midwestern walk,” said Kelly.

The group says it will march on with its message to stop the fighting overseas.