Chicago, IL – The need for an independent federal investigation into the death of May Molina – a Puerto Rican activist who died in police custody May 27 – is becoming more urgent. The son of Molina, Michael Ortiz, was arrested with his mother in the police raid. He was charged with drug possession and jailed.

On the day of May Molina’s death, police leaked to the press that 80 bags of heroin were found in their apartment. On June 16, Michael Ortiz was released by a judge who said none of the samples tested positive for any narcotics. Police now claim they mistook candle-making supplies for drugs.

Michael Ortiz spoke at a press conference, June 17, in front of the Belmont and Western police station where his mother died. He spoke about his anger and his commitment to getting justice. Later the family took him to his mother’s grave for the first time. Police refused to release him from custody for her funeral.

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Molina, a leader of the group Families of the Wrongfully Convicted, died in police custody Wednesday morning, May 27.

On Wednesday night, 200 grief-stricken family members and others gathered outside the police station where she died. Locked out of the station, people pounded on the doors, demanding justice. The police responded by arresting two. Some women outside were so angry, they spit on the cops who had spit on the life of this fighter.

On Thursday night, 225 protesters surged into the Police Board meeting. Ruth Peña, who along with May Molina founded the Comité Exigimos Justicia (We Demand Justice Committee), rallied the crowd outside with chants of “Murderers!”

Once inside, after two hours of speeches by May Molina’s supporters, Aaron Patterson, the wrongfully-convicted death row inmate freed last year, led the crowd to the Police Board table. The board members had to leave the room.

The struggle for justice for May Molina will continue. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, June 1, from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., at Laskowdki and Sons Funeral Home. Funeral services will be on Wednesday. Following the funeral, a protest is planned to demand an independent investigation into Molina’s death. The family is collecting money to pay for funeral expenses.

#ChicagoIL #News #PoliceBrutality #ChicanoLatino #MayMolina

Chicago, IL – May Molina, a long-time activist against wrongful imprisonment with the group Families of the Wrongfully Convicted and a founder of Comité Exigimos Justicia (We Demand Justice Committee), died in police custody May 26.

A statement from Comité Exigimos Justicia notes that Molina “has spoken out about wrongful imprisonment and police brutality many times, including at the monthly meeting of the Chicago Police Board. We will be returning there tomorrow to demand justice for May and to show that we will each take on her strength and determination in the face of this murderous system.”

Describing the circumstances of her death, Comité Exigimos Justicia states: “May was in her 50’s, wheelchair-bound, diabetic, asthmatic and had a thyroid condition. Her family made repeated attempts to give police at Area 3 the medications she needed. They refused each time. Her lawyer spoke with her several times, and notified her family that she had become incoherent and needed to be hospitalized last night. The police denied her any form of medical treatment. She died at 5:26 am today.”

Comité Exigimos Justicia will hold a vigil to demand justice for May Molina on May 26 at 2452 W Belmont, at 8 pm. A major press conference will take place at the Police Board meeting, 3510 S. Michigan, at 6:30 p.m. on May 27.

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