From: Moratorium on Deportations Campaign and May Day 2011 March Organizers

This Flag Day, Tuesday, June 14 at noon, join with the May Day 2011 Organizing Committee and the Moratorium on Deportations Campaign and allies to “FLAG” THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT
– At Chicago Police Department Headquarters, 35th and Michigan
– For its harassment and citation of the May Day march on Ashland Avenue
– And its general harassment of immigrants and others across the city

We all know that the incident on May 1 of the police giving a citation for an alleged violation of the May Day march permit is a part of a larger pattern of repression of our rights to speak, assemble, and march. We know it is part of the pattern of harassment of immigrants, African-Americans, workers, and those who oppose U.S. wars and support liberation struggles around the world. We need to stand against a pattern of CPD intimidation and harassment of poor and immigrant and communities.

Join us for an action on FLAG DAY, Tuesday, June 14 at noon, at the Chicago Police Department Headquarters (3510 S. Michigan Ave). May Day March organizers will present a Citation and letter to the CPD for their illegitimate attempts to limit political expression and for their ongoing attacks against the immigrant community. We will carry placards and flags with slogans opposing harassment and standing for the rights of the people, all over the world. We will have a picket and open mike to present examples of police harassment.

We ask you to join us once more to say: enough!

Here is a copy of the letter we will be delivering to the Superintendent of Police, along with a large size citation–
June 14, 2011

To: Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy–

We are Moratorium on Deportations Campaign and May Day March Organizers, writing this letter to raise the issue of the citation that was given to us on May Day. This was for allegedly violating our march permit. We believe it was an unjust action by the Police Department and we request a public apology, a return of the $200 fine, and an agreement to be supportive of the peoples’ rights to speak, assemble, and march.

About a month and half ago, we marched on the streets commemorating May Day (International Workers Day). We also marched in support of immigrant rights and other issues. We want to point out that we asked for a permit and the permit was given us for the route we requested. We followed the protocol for permits without problems.

In addition, we got verbal consent that if the crowd would grow to the point of becoming too dangerous to use the sidewalks we were going to be given authorization to take the streets. The crowd that gathered at the meeting point did become substantially large and we saw the need to take the streets for our safety. The police did not oppose or stop us from taking the streets, and, in fact, waved us on.

Section 10-8-330 of the Chicago Municipal Code states that the commander on duty has jurisdiction to amend the terms of the permit on-site. Officers of CPD and the commander on site, Deputy Chief Wayne M. Gulliford, gave a clear green light to march on the street, as is documented in photographs and video taken during the event and by people who witnessed the action.

But eventually police accused us of violating the permit and issued a citation. This is a form of entrapment since we were given permission to use the street. These are just some of the concerns we have.

We are very disappointed at the actions taken by the Police Department of entrapping us and giving us a citation. We want to point that the action taken by the police leads to mistrust. As well it leads us to question further collaboration with the Police Department. We believe that the streets and public spaces are to be free for political expression and we feel that your department’s action tried to intimidate us from expressing ourselves in the future.

Please look into this and talk with us as soon as possible. We would like to talk with you today, right after you receive this letter. We also can be reached at moratorium-on-deportations-2010@googlegroups.com or moratoriumondeporations@gmail.com

We are also requesting that you assure us that this kind of incident will never happen again from your department. As well, we call for assurance that the Chicago Police Department will let the immigrant community and any political group or organization have the space to express themselves without reprisal. We demand the recognition of our right to assemble without intimidation from your department.

We are sure that as chief of police, you want to assure us that we are safe and that all people in the community are safe from police abuse, and that the people have space to express themselves without intimidation or reprisal. We are sure you agree this problem needs to be corrected without delay. We are also sure that you will stand for our right to have freedom of political expression. We expect your response in a written statement.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

The Chicago Moratorium on Deportations Campaign and May 1st March Organizing Committee

Categories: Government, Police Brutality, Statements, U.S. News, Workers Struggle