Activists protest alleged Chicago police 'black sites'

Yamiche Alcindor | USA TODAY

Activists in Chicago gathered Saturday for a protest and march against alleged "black sites" in the city where police supposedly hold suspects and witnesses for long periods without public records and access to lawyers.

In an investigative report, The Guardian charges that the Chicago Police Department operates an off-the-books interrogation compound in Homan Square, rendering Americans unable to be found by family or attorneys while locked inside what lawyers told the paper is the domestic equivalent of a CIA black site. Police deny the claims.

Yet in response to the paper's reporting, a coalition of activists, including the hacktivist group Anonymous and organizers associated with the Black Lives Matter movement, held a protest Saturday afternoon dubbed "Shut Down Homan Square."

Standing outside Homan Square, a nondescript warehouse located on the city's West Side, several people delivered fiery speeches condemning the police. Later, dozens of protesters marched along streets nearby and shouted chants including "shut it down," "freedom first" and "indict, convict, send the torturers to jail."

Demonstrators demanded a public inspection of Homan Square and asked that all people arrested in Chicago be booked immediately and given access to a phone to call an attorney. They also want a meeting within 10 days where the public can ask questions about Homan Square and other facilities. They are demanding posters that inform people of their rights be placed at all Chicago Police Department facilities.

During Saturday's demonstration, organizers made several pleas for people to come forward if police had violated their rights. "We need you to come forth and tell us yes you have been a victim of abuse," one organizer said. "Please come forward and let the people know so we can take some action."

The Guardian reported that in Homan Square Chicago police keep arrestees out of official booking databases, beat suspects, shackle people for prolonged periods and deny lawyers access to the facility.

Several lawyers told the Chicago Tribune that such problems have been a widespread issue with the Chicago Police Department for decades at several locations, not just Homan Square.

"Everything that was described (in the Guardian story) was something that happens every day," Richard Dvorak, a veteran criminal defense attorney, told the Tribune. "I think it's pretty systemic throughout CPD."

The Chicago Police Department has denied The Guardian's reporting, saying there is nothing inappropriate happening at Homan Square.

"CPD abides by all laws, rules and guidelines pertaining to any interviews of suspects or witnesses, at Homan Square or any other CPD facility," police said in a statement. "If lawyers have a client detained at Homan Square, just like any other facility, they are allowed to speak to and visit them. ...There are always records of anyone who is arrested by CPD, and this is not any different at Homan Square."

Still, protest organizer Travis McDermott told The Guardian that Saturday's demonstration was one of several being planned as far away as Los Angeles.

"Hopefully with the presence we expect to have, that will put a little bit of pressure to say, 'Hey, look — this isn't going to go away,'" he told the paper.