Ethos and 7 other delegates from Chicago went to Geneva as members of We Charge Genocide, a grassroots, inter-generational effort to center the voices and experiences of the young people most targeted by police violence in Chicago. “When U.S. representatives responded to one of United Nations Committee Against Torture’s questions regarding police use of tasers by claiming police are properly trained to use them and that they aren’t lethal, the eight We Charge Genocide delegates made eye contact with one another and all knew it was the moment for us to stand. We rose silently with our fists in the air, each holding an image of Dominique Franklin— a 23 year old friend who was tased to death by the Chicago Police Department this summer.” This poem was filmed outside the Palais Des Nations, United Nations Headquarter, Geneva. Their voices were heard. http://chicagoist.com/2014/11/30/new_un_report_on_torture_singles_ou.php
Damo was a big brother to my son and many of his friends. His life and his passing have impacted many people profoundly. I knew him possibly a little better than an average parent would know their son’s friends and he was important to me. It is with such admiration and respect that I watch his friends not allow his death to have been in vain. This poem by Ethos is art and action combined. Rest in power, peace and paradise Damo.
His hospital death bed seemed another stint in an institution
The beeping and clicking was drowned out
By the sound of Damo’s booming laugh reverberating in my head
Reminding me of the glory that exists in this world
And how little we do to protect it
How easily it can be snuffed out
Rest in Peace Dominique
