Rooted in Justice. Rising in Power.
Honoring 11 Years of Reparations, Building the Memorial, and Strengthening Our Community.
In honor of the 11th anniversary of the passage of the reparations legislation for Chicago Police torture survivors, we gathered to remember our milestones, serve our neighbors in the Washington Park neighborhood, feed our people, and celebrate the coming memorial that will tell a local story and help advance reparations efforts nationally. This message could not be more poignant as our communities are fighting against fascist state entities that threaten our existence and histories daily.
This year is not only a commemoration; it is a declaration that justice continues to grow despite what we collectively face today. This year, we commit to rooting ourselves in the historic passage of reparations legislation in Chicago, rising through community action and collective care of our community, and standing in power at the groundbreaking for the Chicago Torture Justice Memorial. We’ve made history before, and we will make it again this year!
Nourishing the People, Sustaining the Movement
On April 11, CTJMF gave out more than 1000 lbs of groceries and meals to our community at the site of the future memorial. This was only the first of more mutual aid projects to come as we get closer to the construction and opening of the Chicago Torture Justice Memorial. We had an incredible time reconnecting with our neighbors and meeting more folks from the community.
We couldn’t have done this without the survivors and community members (including students from Morgan Park High School) who volunteered their time to pack and distribute food, the abundant food donations from Fight 2 Feed, The Urban Canopy, Trader Joe’s, and Pete’s Fresh Market, the sponsorship of the Feinberg Foundation, or support from Alderwoman Taylor, Illinois Humanities, Chicago Torture Justice Center, and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Every bag of groceries also included a copy of Beyond Punishment: A Guide to Mass Incarceration, a graphic novel produced by the Applied Cartooning Lab in collaboration with Freedom Classrooms and donated to us by Illinois Humanities.
Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Future
On May 6, CTJM Foundation and the Chicago Torture Justice Center hosted a celebratory fundraising luncheon to express gratitude for our supporters, survivors and their families, organizers, artists, educators, and attorneys who have remained committed to our work over the years and in some cases decades. The event included a silent auction with items donated by community members, a make-your-own boutonnière station with Southside Blooms, a buffet lunch catered by Celebrations by Us, and a program emceed by Damon Williams, Co-Director of the Let Us Breathe Collective. The event was held at the Washington Park Refectory located just east of the future site of the Chicago Torture Justice Memorial.
Community Champion Award
We also took the opportunity to give special thanks to two members of our community with our first Community Champion Awards.
Ms. Cecilia Butler
president of the Washington Park Advisory Council and the Washington Park Residents’ Advocacy Council
Ms. Butler has supported CTJMF's efforts to build relationships with residents and neighborhood organizations and has been a champion for responsible development. Over the years, her commitment to the Washington Park neighborhood, its people, and the city of Chicago have made a lasting impact.
Ald. Jeanette Taylor
alderwoman of Chicago's 20th Ward
Ald. Taylor has championed the cause of the memorial project and supported its existence in the 20th ward when others were hesitant and many in power delayed progress. She has also supported our sister organization, the Chicago Torture Justice Center, for years. She has remained true to her organizing roots and has been a champion for the people!
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Fifth Star Sponsors
"Still Here" Sponsors
Lisa Lee and Adam Bush
Champion for Reparations Sponsors
Grassroots Champion Sponsors
Tracy Baim
Mutual Aid Food Distribution Donors
