By Misha Euceph and Raquel Zaldivar
Cook County prosecutors filed first-degree murder charges Tuesday against white Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke in the October 2014 shooting death of black teenager Laquan McDonald. As Mayor Rahm Emanuel called for calm and others called for protests, the police prepared to release a graphic dash-cam video of the shooting. A judge ordered Van Dyke held without bail, even as his attorney said there is more to the story.
We won a victory for transparency today against the City of Chicago. #ReleaseTheTapes pic.twitter.com/u8pZHLhva7
— Brandon Smith (@muckrakery) November 19, 2015
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Mayor Emanuel meets with African American pastors and community leaders and urges restraint.
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On social media, critics across the country responded skeptically to Emanuel’s efforts.
Only reason he’s being charged is b/c the video was ordered to be released by a judge. CHI tried to hide it for 400 days #LaquanMcDonald
— Lauren (@welknett) November 24, 2015
Why we refused to meet with the mayor #StopTheCops #LaquanMcDonald https://t.co/AtiFEERHun — Assata’s Daughters (@AssataDaughters) November 24, 2015
Officer Van Dyke’s attorney, Daniel Herbert, told reporters that his client feared for his life when he fired 16 shots at the 17-year-old McDonald.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuHbNFom61k]
Chicago police officer charged with 1st-degree murder in the death of a black teen, who was reportedly shot 16 times https://t.co/PVpAocP2NH
— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 24, 2015
Officer Van Dyke’s wife launches a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign to raise money for bond for the officer, so he can spend the holidays with his family before trial. After Cook County judge ordered him held without bail, the page was taken down. The tweet from the Police Union’s Chicago chapter remains, with no other social media activity from the account.
Click here to support JVD Bond Fund by Tiffany Van Dyke https://t.co/ipUOrgw9wY — FOP7Chicago (@FOP7Chicago) November 24, 2015
No bail for Chicago cop charged in shooting death of Laquan McDonald https://t.co/4D72gSit5U pic.twitter.com/k22KSkDENu
— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) November 24, 2015
Public officials and media question Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez’s timing in filing charges against Van Dyke, more than one year after the shooting. In a press conference, Alvarez said she was proceeding carefully.
Black Caucus chairman: What took Alvarez so long to file charges?: https://t.co/F3GatG2GOC — Roderick T. Sawyer (@RoderickTSawyer) November 24, 2015
Anita Alvarez viewed the video on 11/4/14 #LaquanMcDonald
— Erik G. Wilson, Esq. (@EdubEsq) November 24, 2015
RT @natalieymoore Anita Alvarez defended the amount of time it took to charge #JasonVanDyke. https://t.co/EMxvacAU8n
— WBEZ (@WBEZ) November 24, 2015
The Invisible Institute, which oversees a database of complaints and investigations against Chicago police officers, encouraged people to see the Van Dyke indictment in context.
Explore the #CPDP: New analysis shows Chicago cops almost never disciplined for misconduct https://t.co/tkj2b6Q1iC @Suntimes @FrankMainNews
— Invisible Institute (@invinst) November 24, 2015
Dennis Byron, editor-in-chief of Hip Hop Esquire Magazine, questioned the legitimacy of a civilian review board.
If the #ChicagoPD Superintendent has the final say in a civilian review board finding, where is the “check and balance” at? #LaquanMcDonald
— Dennis Byron (@MrDennisByron) November 24, 2015
Black Youth Project 100, an activist group in Chicago, put up a video on Instagram asking users to reflect before watching the video of the McDonald shooting.
Protesters organize on Facebook, calling for vigils and street protests.
FRIDAY 11-27-15 12pm until 8pm in front of Water Tower Place on Michigan avenue. At 4pm we will haVE A candlelight…
Posted by Justice for Laquan McDonald on Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Laquan McDonald’s family, which received a $5 million payment in April, urged Chicago residents not to resort to violence.
Laquan McDonald’s family: “No one understands the anger more than us but … we urge you to be peaceful” https://t.co/fmkuN2wk2H
— DNAinfo.com Chicago (@DNAinfoCHI) November 24, 2015
After prosecutors filed charges against Van Dyke, a press conference was announced at the Chicago Police Department headquarters. City Hall also stated that they will release the video after the press conference on Tuesday.
Today’s Most Viewed Story: City To Release Video Of Laquan McDonald Shooting Tuesday Afternoon https://t.co/6EdS0YRAfc
— CBS Chicago (@cbschicago) November 24, 2015
Photo at top: Top left: Attorney Daniel Herbert represents Officer Jason Van Dyke. Top right: Brandon Smith, who’s suit against Chicago brought about the release of the police video. Bottom left: Mayor Rahm Emanuel speaks at CPD headquarters. Bottom right: Fraternal Order of Police president Dean C. Angelo, speaking after officer Van Dyke turned himself in to police custody. (Steve Musal, Steven Porter/Medill)
