Chicago politicians call for police chief's resignation after video release of teen's shooting
Chicago (KTVU/AP) - Chicago politicians are calling for the police chief to resign after Tuesday's release of a video showing a white officer killing a black teenager.
About 100 protestors marched through the city and some said they plan to shut down Chicago's famous Magnificent Mile shopping area on the busy holiday shopping day, Black Friday.
"16 shots. 16 shots," protestors shouted as they took to the streets Wednesday for a second night of protests.
"Indict, convict, send the killer cops to jail," people shouted as they marched about half a mile to the Chicago Police Department.
The police dash camera video shows Laquan McDonald, 17, walking down a street as police were searching for a suspect in a series of car break-ins.
Prosecutors say Officer Jason Van Dyke joined seven other officers at the scene. About six seconds after getting out of his car, he fired 16 shots, most after McDonald was on the ground. Prosecutors say Van Dyke was the only officer to open fire. A 3-inch folded knife was found at the scene.
The shooting happened October 20, 2014 and many people are criticizing Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Cook County State Attorney Anita Alvarez for not charging the police officer sooner.
One protestor said Mayor Emanuel needs to be impeached and that he knew this happened 12 months ago.
Oakland civil rights attorney John Burris started his career in Chicago and says prosecuting police officers there is rare.
"This case is so blatant, it is so outrageous that no prosecutor could turn a blind eye to this case. It is so outrageous. Now the question of why did it take so long? I really think because of the political processes," said Burris, who added it is rare to charge a police officer.
"Prosecuting police officers is always very challenging and I'm certain they wanted to know if there were other witnesses that'd seen what happened before and maybe had it from a different angle," he said.
"It probably wouldn't have happened, if in fact, the judge hadn't said he was going to release the video," Burris noted.
Van Dyke turned himself in just before the video was released Tuesday. He's facing charges of first degree murder. Police and court records show 18 civilian complaints in 14 years against Van Dyke. Some of the complaints accused him of excessive force and using racial slurs. One person who was arrested by Van Dyke sued and received $350,000 in damages.
About two dozen demonstrators marched into city hall threatened protests on Black Friday in Chicago's main shopping area.
"If we do not hear from the mayor, there will be a uprising starting on Friday at the Magnificent Mile," said one protestor.
Wednesday night, some protestors shouted at police, but overall it was peaceful. At one point, demonstrators paused along the way, joining hands to pray together.
Some protestors want the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the Chicago Police Department, saying it has a history of discriminating against black people.
Officer Van Dyke remains in jail, being held without bond.