CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A group of migrant day laborers have sued the city of Chicago and Home Depot for what they described as mistreatment and harassment by off-duty Chicago police officers on the Southwest Side.
Migrant day laborers rallied for justice on Tuesday after they say they were verbally and physically assaulted outside the Home Depot on 47th Street and Western Avenue while looking for work.
“Things like beatings, verbal abuse, xenophobic epithets and unlawful arrests,” said Miguel Alvelo, with the Latino Union of Chicago.
Alvelo said the perpetrators first appeared to be Home Depot security personnel.
“What we have found is that several of the people that work private security are actually off-duty officers, and we have also heard reports of them using their power as CPD officers while they're off duty,” Alvelo said.
A Home Depot spokesperson told WBBM Newsradio, "We take allegations of violence very seriously and are investigating this issue. We believe in respecting all people, and we don't tolerate violence or discrimination."
Now, a group of five migrants is suing the city and Home Depot, with the help of Raise the Floor Alliance and the People's Law Office.
One of the migrants filing suit is William Jimenez, who said he was targeted “just for being an immigrant” and for wanting to find “work and income to support [his] family.”
Alvelo said they are seeking justice for what he described as the “human rights abuse” that these day laborers experienced.
“We are also seeking reform of internal policies that CPD has of off duty officers being able to use their power when they're not on the clock,” Alvelo said.
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