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Video of Laquan McDonald shooting has 'traumatized' his mother, relative says Family of Laquan McDonald 'hurting' in wake of release of shooting footage
(about 2 hours later)
The family of a black teenager fatally shot by a white Chicago police officer spoke publicly Friday for the first time after a video of the 2014 killing set off days of protests calling for the mayor’s resignation and demanding an overhaul of the police department. The family of a black teenager shot 16 times by a white Chicago police officer on Friday joined the call for change in local leadership and policing in the city and nationwide, weeks after a video of the 2014 killing set off days of protests.
Laquan McDonald was shot 16 times in October 2014 by police Officer Jason Van Dyke, who is charged with first-degree murder. Squad-car footage was released late last month upon a judge’s order, and there have been protests almost daily since. Protesters allege a coverup and have called for the resignation of Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County state’s attorney Anita Alvarez. Laquan McDonald was shot in October 2014 by officer Jason Van Dyke, who is charged with first-degree murder. Squad-car footage was released late last month upon a judge’s order, and there have been protests almost daily since. Protesters allege a cover-up and have called for the resignation of Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County state’s attorney Anita Alvarez.
Related: Chicago mayor says 'sorry' for police misconduct in Laquan McDonald caseRelated: Chicago mayor says 'sorry' for police misconduct in Laquan McDonald case
The Rev Marvin Hunter, who is McDonald’s great uncle, called for change at the city and national levels, saying that “what we’re feeling in Chicago is the real feeling of America itself, and that’s injustice against people of color”. The Rev Marvin Hunter, who is McDonald’s great-uncle, said a news conference Friday that “what we’re feeling in Chicago is the real feeling of America itself, and that’s injustice against people of color”. He also said there are “thousands of Laquan McDonalds”.
McDonald’s mother was not in attendance because she’s “hurting and traumatized by the constant reminder and senseless death of her son”, Hunter said, referencing the video, which has been replayed on TV frequently. The family has stayed largely out of the spotlight since the video was released 24 November, but about a dozen of them stood behind Hunter on Friday. A few activists with them wore T-shirts that read “Rahm Failed Us”.
One notable absence was McDonald’s mother, whom Hunter said is “hurting and traumatized by the constant reminder of the senseless death of her son”.
Since the video’s release, McDonald’s death became another example in the current debate over gun violence and treatment of African Americans by the police. Protesters have turned the shooting into a rallying cry, their chants of “16 shots and a cover-up” becoming as familiar as “I can’t breathe” after the video that showed Eric Garner being taken down by a New York police officer in a fatal chokehold.
The city agreed to a $5m settlement with McDonald’s family earlier this year without a lawsuit being filed. Hunter downplayed that Friday, saying the money that really matters should come in the form of government resources to foster economic development and keep such deaths from happening.
Related: Who is linked to the false Chicago police account of Laquan McDonald's death?
Chicago officials fought the release of the video, arguing it could interfere with any resulting court case. Acting on a judge’s order, the city released it just hours after Alvarez announced charges against the officer.
An attorney for McDonald’s family said they, too, did not want the video made public initially because they were still grieving.
Alvarez has defended the delay in pressing charges against Van Dyke, calling it a complex investigation. Emanuel apologized this week that the incident occurred under his administration. He fired the police chief and named a new head of the police review agency that investigates police conduct. But protests have continued.
Hunter said McDonald was raised by his great-grandmother and, despite a tough life, he was gentle, loving and fond of telling jokes.
“When he saw you he greeted you with a hug,” the uncle said. “He tried to make you laugh. He was a jokester.”
For most of his life, McDonald was a ward of the state. Records show he was taken from his house at the age of three because the state’s department of children and family services determined his mother didn’t provide proper supervision.
After he was returned to his mother a couple years ago, the state again took him out of the house, citing physical abuse by the mother’s then boyfriend. But at the time of her son’s death, McDonald’s mother was making efforts to regain custody of him.
Earlier this week, US attorney general Loretta Lynch announced the Department of Justice would investigate whether the Chicago police department’s practices violate federal and constitutional law.Earlier this week, US attorney general Loretta Lynch announced the Department of Justice would investigate whether the Chicago police department’s practices violate federal and constitutional law.
Since the video’s release on 24 November, McDonald’s death became another example in current debate over gun violence and treatment of African Americans by the police. Protesters have turned the shooting into a rallying cry, their chants of “16 shots and a coverup” becoming as familiar as “I can’t breathe” became after the video that showed Eric Garner being taken down by a New York police officer in a fatal chokehold.
The city agreed to a $5m settlement with McDonald’s family earlier this year before without a lawsuit even being filed. But Chicago officials also fought the release of the video, arguing it could interfere with any resulting court case. Acting on a judge’s order, the city released it, with the county’s top public prosecutor announcing charges against the officer hours before.
An attorney for McDonald’s family said they, too, did not want the video made public, explaining that they were still grieving.
Alvarez has defended her office, calling it a complex investigation. Emanuel apologized this week. He fired the police chief and named a new head of the independent body that investigates police conduct. But protests have continued, and more were planned for Friday.