The creation of the memorial for Burge torture survivors, Breath, Form & Freedom, is endorsed by the following:
American Friends Service Committee – Chicago
Assata’s Daughters
Black Abolitionist Network
Black Lives Matter – Chicago
Brighton Park Neighborhood Council
#CareNotCops
Chicago Abortion Fund
Chicago Community Bond Fund
Chicago Teachers Union
Dissenters
Grow Greater Englewood
Illinois Coalition for Higher Eduction in Prison
#LetUsBreathe Collective
Moms United Against Violence & Incarceration
Nikkei Uprising
Parole Illinois
Prison + Neighborhood Art Project
Southside Together Organizing for Power
Check out statements from our endorsers of why they support the memorial:
Chicago Abortion Fund Statement
Chicago Community Bond Fund Statement
Chicago Teachers Union Signed Letter of Support
As you may know, Chicago made history in 2015 when it passed the Reparations legislation, making our city the first U.S. municipality to pass a resolution addressing racially-motivated police violence.
A key component of the reparations package that we have yet to see to fruition is a permanent public memorial that honors the resilience of the Burge torture survivors and remembers the people-powered struggle that ultimately won reparations. A design for the memorial, entitled Breath, Form and Freedom, has been selected by a jury of torture survivors and community members. CTJM is also working toward securing a location on the South Side of Chicago for the memorial. However, CTJM has yet to receive unconditional support or funding from the Mayor or the City to build the memorial—despite it being promised in the Reparations legislation.
We ask that everyone in the fight for racial justice and against police violence in our city publicly declaring their support for the Burge torture justice memorial, Breath, Form and Freedom.
the members of Nikkei Uprising