A group of local activists is calling for a congressional investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death Army Spc. Vanessa Guillen who, according to investigators, was killed and dismembered by a soldier originally from Calumet City.
The group, Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, also is seeking the closure of Fort Hood, where Guillen was based and for the firing of all those in her chain of command.
“Our system is broken. How many victims do there need to be to address systematic failure?” said Melinda Garcia, a member of the Maywood-based group.
The group, which held a news conference Friday in front of the Illinois Army National Guard North Riverside Training Facility, also wants the military to require reporting of sexual assault and/or harassment to a third-party agency outside of the armed forces.
Guillen’s disappearance became the focus of a nationwide missing-person search. Army Spc. Aaron Robinson of Calumet City allegedly killed and dismembered Guillen, and had the help of another woman, Cecily Aguilar, in hiding the body, investigators say. Aguilar has pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to helping hide Guillen’s body.
Robinson killed himself July 1, the day Guillen’s remains were found near the Leon River in Bell County, Texas, officials have said. The remains were identified as Guillen’s July 6.
Guillen’s family has said they believe she was sexually harassed by Robinson. Army investigators said last month they had no credible evidence that Guillen had been sexually harassed or assaulted.
Last week, Army officials announced they plan to begin an independent review of the Fort Hood command climate after calls from members of Congress and community activists for a more thorough investigation of Guillen’s death.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., this week sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Defense, asking for an “immediate, comprehensive review of the treatment of women and persons of color in the military.” U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., has asked for a review of the Army’s implementation of its Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program.
Contributing: AP
