Spencer Ackemran has a piece out in the Guardian today that alleges the Chicago Police Department operates a secretive, CIA-style “off-the-books interrogation compound” where suspects are held without any access to lawyers or family.
Here’s his opener:
The Chicago police department operates an off-the-books interrogation compound, rendering Americans unable to be found by family or attorneys while locked inside what lawyers say is the domestic equivalent of a CIA black site.
The facility, a nondescript warehouse on Chicago’s west side known as Homan Square, has long been the scene of secretive work by special police units. Interviews with local attorneys and one protester who spent the better part of a day shackled in Homan Square describe operations that deny access to basic constitutional rights.
Alleged police practices at Homan Square, according to those familiar with the facility who spoke out to the Guardian after its investigation into Chicago police abuse, include:
- Keeping arrestees out of official booking databases.
- Beating by police, resulting in head wounds.
- Shackling for prolonged periods.
- Denying attorneys access to the “secure” facility.
- Holding people without legal counsel for between 12 and 24 hours, including people as young as 15.
At least one man was found unresponsive in a Homan Square “interview room” and later pronounced dead.
Wow.
https://twitter.com/seanmdav/status/570271946039959552
Sometimes you can get numb to these stories. Then something like this comes along and horrifies you all over again. http://t.co/Tax7TNC0vp
— Radley Balko (@radleybalko) February 24, 2015
Also, all due praise to @attackerman for the incredible reporting here. http://t.co/Tax7TNkp6P
— Radley Balko (@radleybalko) February 24, 2015
And as Chicago’s voters go to the polls today and possibly re-elect Mayor Rahm Emanuel to another four-year-term, we do wonder why this isn’t a bigger story:
Vote for Rahm so we can keep open black torture sites for the CPD. That way our own citizens can get tortured http://t.co/e875zZwaNj
— TR Slyder (@AndyDisco) February 24, 2015
Maybe Rahm Emanuel can do something about the Gitmo in his backyard? http://t.co/PVzurGENDt
— Jack Mirkinson (@jackmirkinson) February 24, 2015
.@attackerman's report on Chicago PD's covert black site for detainees, good God. Rahm Emanuel's Chicago, 2015: http://t.co/GvmScf3yhp
— Gabe Meline (@gmeline) February 24, 2015
Weird that this is happening in the city run by Rahm Emanuel, @BarackObama's former bestie. Chicago's black site: http://t.co/3fRbb3r6Wm
— Sadhbh Walshe (@SadhbhWalshe) February 24, 2015
Exit question: Will President Obama’s DOJ now investigate President Obama’s former COS over this?
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