Legacy of Torture: COINTELPRO and the San Francisco 8

Eight former Black community activists - Black Panthers and others - were arrested January 23, 2007 in California, New York, and Florida on charges related to the 1971 killing of a San Francisco police officer. Similar charges were thrown out after it was revealed that police used torture to extract confessions when some of these same men were arrested in New Orleans in 1973.

Their arrests and torture were the product of COINTELPRO, an FBI program designed to disrupt, neutralize and destroy radical movements, from the Black Panthers to the Young Lords to anti-war activists, by infiltrating organizations, framing people with false criminal charges, and assassinating charismatic leaders.

Join us for a screening of a short documentary Legacy of Torture (28 minutes) followed by an engaging conversation with three of the individuals that were part of the San Francisco 8.

Francisco Torres
Torres was one of the activists part of San Francisco 8. He was born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York. A Vietnam veteran, he has been an activist since his discharge from the military in 1969, and has been active in veterans and community affairs.

Soffiyah Elijah
Elijah is a human rights lawyer and Harvard law professor. She has been working tirelessly on behalf of the San Francisco 8 for more than 5 years.

Claude Marks
Marks is the director of the Freedom Archives, producers of Legacy of Torture. He has been actively involved in work supporting the San Francisco 8.

Open to the public and free of charge. Refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP at 312.413.5353.

co-sponsors are:

Black People Against Police Torture,
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists,
National Boriqua Human Rights Network,
Tamms Year Ten

Other Chicago Showings

Friday February 13
* 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. DePaul University, Student Center/main building,
2250 N. Sheffield Ave.

Saturday February 14
* 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Center for Inner City Studies, 700 E. Oakwood Blvd.,
sponsored by Black People Against Police Torture, co-sponsored by the
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, with Cliff Kelley as moderator
* 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Que Ondée Sola and Radio Batey interviews
* 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Batey Urbano, 2620 W. Division, sponsored by
National Boricua Human Rights Network and Tamms Year Ten: 6:00 to 7:00
SF8 presentation, to be introduced by one brief speaker from each of the
two sponsors; 7:00 to 9:00 Crime Again st Humanity play followed by Q&A
to include SF8 speakers.

Sunday February 15
* 12:00 noon Mess Hall, 6932 N. Glenwood, brunch
* 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Trinity United Church of Christ, 400 W. 95th St.