Chicago, IL — Today’s exoneration and release of Chicago’s Dixmoor 5 shows that evidence, hope, and tireless legal and community advocacy can correct gross injustices in our legal system.

Rashad Robinson, Executive Director of ColorOfChange.org, said, “We are relieved by Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez’s decision to vacate these convictions and urge her to do the same for the Englewood 5.” Robinson continued, “DNA evidence has proven the innocence of all 10 Black men who were only children when they were forced by Illinois police to confess to murders they didn’t commit. This is an opportunity for Alvarez to make it clear that forced confessions and wrongful convictions have no place in law enforcement.”

Nearly 65,000 ColorOfChange members spoke out, demanding that Anita Alvarez vacate all of these wrongful convictions. “We are half-way there, and our members will not stop until all of these innocent men are free to continue the rest of their lives,” continued Robinson.

Link to story: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-prosecutors-vacate-convictions-in-91-rape-slaying-of-dixmoor-girl-20111103,0,5567338.story

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