By Jorge G. Zavala | Creative Director

Human rights violations, specifically within the judicial system in Chicago, have received attention in recent months. Last month, Reverend Jesse Jackson held a press conference, that included 2nd Ward Alderman Bob Fioretti and several men who were incarcerated unjustly, to bring light to the injustices he says are "plaguing communities...across Chicago."

Mark A. Clements, current prison liaison for the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Oppression (CAARPR), is a former inmate who served time unjustly. "I was beaten, humiliated, and taken from my mother at 17 years of age," Clements stated. "My mother is now gone, and, what's worse, they found out that I really didn't commit (the crime) 25 years later." Clements was accused of a homicide in the city's Englewood neighborhood in the 1980s, but recent evidence and a re-trial proved him innocent. How did the city compensate his years in jail? "I received $50 and a bus pass," Clements laughed. "Do they think $50 is enough? I laugh because I am humiliated: we've become a joke."

Organizations across Chicago, like Reverend Jesse Jackson's Rainbow-PUSH Coalition and the Greater St. John Bible Church, are working together with local politicians, the Illinois State Attorney's Office, and community leaders, to bring awareness to what is happening and to advocate for fair trials. "It's still a predominantly black and brown problem," Reverend Jackson stated. "But these problems affect everyone, including the better-off black, brown, and white communities in the suburbs."

As for Mark Clements, he is currently suing the City of Chicago and the State Attorney's Office for negligence and wrongful accusation. "Yes, the money would be nice, but I am not suing just for the money," he stated. "Police brutality, ignorance, and a broken system keeps putting innocent people in jail. This can't go on anymore: lives are broken."

By Sandy Chang | Investigative Reporter

This is a developing story.

On October 1st, 2013, Latino Fashion Week opened its doors to a diverse set of interested fashionistas, politicos, and members of the community. It also opened its doors to bloggers and members of the press. While most of the evening was composed of free-flowing cocktails and pictures with the who's who of Chicago's developing Latino fashion scene, an incident did occur that, according to witnesses, made for an uncomfortable evening.

Delia de Avila, coordinator for Latino Fashion Week, is said to have harassed a young journalist to the point of physical confrontation before the start of "The Journey", the fashion show anticipated by both guests and media. The young woman, who represents a notable fashion blog based in Los Angeles, stated that Delia "grabbed her arm, tossed (her) phone to the ground as (she) was filming the confrontation, and yelled obscenities". A witness, who preferred not to be identified, told PdM that Delia appeared to be under stress and "seemed shaken up" before confronting the 22 year old journalist and kicking her out of the show.

"It's really a shame to have experienced that," stated Arturo, a student at the Illinois Institute of Art. "I was standing right behind Delia as she screamed at the poor girl: who does that?" It appears that while "The Journey" for those watching the fashion showcase was an enjoyable endeavor, the ride for the young fashion blogger was not so smooth.

Ms. Avila has failed to comment on the matter.