Chicago families share stories of their loved ones being gunned down by police

CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) - A protest took place at the Federal Plaza on Thursday, calling for an end to racist police crimes.

The Chicago Alliance against Racist and Political Repression says it is holding the U.S. federal government accountable for their involvement in police crimes and torture. The group is also fighting for Homan Square to be shut down immediately because of it being an alleged torture site.

At the rally, FOX 32 heard personal stories from family members who say their loved ones were the victims of police crimes. The family members delivered over 50 complaints to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago.

The families were told the complaints would get looked at, but over a year ago, they turned over the same documents and they say nothing has happened.

"I was shot 28 times ... 21 times in the back,” said Howard Morgan.

Morgan, a former Chicago police officer, was shot by Chicago police after being pulled over in 2005. Morgan claims the officers found his gun and opened fire.

"Over 50 complaints of police torture and abuse to the department of justice,” said Mike Elliott of Chicago Alliance against Racist and Political Repression.

Morgan’s plea is part of those 50 cases that a group of families is turning over to the U.S. Attorney. They hope each case gets a closer look and that justice is served.

"I'm hoping that they re-open this case and that Gildardo Sierra gets indicted, prosecuted and sent to jail for the murder of my son,” said Emmett Farmer.

The killing of Emmett Farmer's son, Flint, was caught on police dash cam video in 2011.

"The police, Gildardo Sierra, actually unloaded his weapon 16 times, shot my son 7 times, three times in the back while he was laying down on the ground,” Farmer said.

Flint was unarmed and was shot by a Chicago police officer who mistook his cell phone for a gun.

Following the families filing of the documents Thursday at the federal courthouse, they joined a large group of demonstrators and shared their stories, again.

These groups who have come together to protest want the city implement a police accountability council, made up of civilians who are elected by the public. This council would take over for IPRA, the Independent Police Review Zuthority, and the Internal Affairs Division of the police department so that they say the people could be in charge of the police.