spoke digital films

It’s been a productive week for my documentary, Shielded Brutality. After filming the encouraging Cook County Board of Commissioners’ hearing (see my last post), I sat down with Attorney Standish Willis the following day. Mr. Willis provided further background about his and others’ efforts to organize and mobilize community involvement in fighting for justice for police torture victims (as well as other community issues.) He graciously agreed to a filmed interview which will be conducted before month’s end.

Attorney Standish Willis
Image property of The History Makers

Mr. Willis has been an unrelenting activist for civil rights since leading the charge to name Chicago’s west side campus Malcolm X College in 1969. He has been one of the most important figures in fighting for justice for Burge torture victims. He worked as an attorney at the civil rights legal firm, The People’s Law Office, where he represented torture victim Aaron Patterson. In fighting for Patterson, Willis mobilized community activism and organized a fundraising and awareness concert headlined by hip-hop artist, Common.

Given that torture is an international human rights violation, Willis also took the complaints of Chicago Police torture victims to the international body, The Organization of American States, where he and his colleagues presented evidence to the OAS while members of the U.S. State Department sat in attendence. That situation is still developing, but Willis characterized the body as being very interested and very attentive, characteristics that have typically been absent in stateside courts.

Willis continues to organize community activism today, runs his own legal practice, and heads the Chicago Council of Black Lawyers. I am excited about the upcoming interview with Standish and will give an update (and maybe some clips) once completed.