A flyer being circulated in the Black Community
is a cruel hoax directed at senior citizens, according to 3rd Ward Alderman
Dorothy Tillman. Her office has been inundated with calls inquiring about
the flyer claiming Blacks born before 1928 are due $5000.00 from a settlement
of the slaver reparations act. "People know we're working hard to get reparations
for the descendants of African American slaves, but this is cruel deception
against senior citizens who don't deserve this kind of trick to be played
on them", said Alderman Tillman.
Tillman has sent letters calling for an
urgent meeting with U.S. Attorney, Scott Lassar, Illinois Attorney General,
Jim Ryan and Cook County States Attorney, Richard Devine to see what can
be done to stop those responsible.
The flyers claim seniors can receive the
$5000.00 providing they send personal information to a Washington, D.C.
post office box that belongs to the Senior Citizens League.
"We've contracted the Senior Citizens League
and they inform us the flyers are a fraud, and they don't know who s circulating
the phony information," said Alderman Tillman. They ask seniors to send
their name, address, phone number, social security number and date of birth.
Tillman warns citizens not to fall for this trick.
"This is a cruel hoax that appeals to the
most vulnerable seniors who really need every penny to pay for prescribed
drugs, pay rent, and buy food," said Michael Zabko, TSCL's Executive Director.
"To even imply the 'Slave Reparation Act' will give them $5000, is a senseless
and irresponsible act. The only legislation in the 106th Congress regarding
reparations is H.R. 40, which is a proposal to form a commission to study
the merit of this issue. H.R. 40 was referred to the House Judiciary Committee
on January 6, 1999 and then to the Sub-Committee on the Constitution on
February 25, 1999 and remains there today."
"Unfortunately we discovered several seniors
have already sent the information in. They should be careful about giving
their social security number. Crooks use it to get bogus credit cards,
open illegal bank accounts and other fraudulent activity that can hurt
people on fixed income who have to punch pennies to buy food or pay for
medicine. Identity theft is a growing crime in this country and senior
citizens are the most vulnerable."
Alderman Tillman received overwhelming
support earlier this year from members of the Chicago City Council for
their resolution in support of reparations. The measure passed 46-1 May
17th. Tillman is currently working on a national Reparations Convention
to be held here in Chicago, February 1 - 4 2001 at McCormick Place.