Chicago Protesters Stage Die-In at City Hall

City officials have released a number of videos revealing authorities encounters with the public, since dashcam footage revealing a white Chicago police officer shooting a black teenager 16 times was made public. An autopsy report listed the cause of death as a severe reaction to haloperidol, an antipsychotic drug, but the report also documented a fractured rib and over 50 bruises and scrapes. People are upset and calling for the mayor’s resignation over the alleged cover-up of events surrounding the police shooting of Laquan McDonald.

“How in the world does he know he’s not going to be indicted unless someone in Alvarez’s office told him?” the attorney said. Instead they took him to the fifth district police station, leading to his abuse and eventual death. The family has filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming that Johnson was not armed. Critics cried foul, alleging that the city and police had tried to cover it up. The guards claimed that they only Tasered Coleman after he attacked them, and refused to release the video evidence showing that this was a lie. He fired his police superintendent after days of insisting the chief had his support.

The police board says it will review applications and nominate three candidates for consideration by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The videos are being released following the Department of Justice’s upcoming probe of the CPD.

The anger was ignited last month with the release of dash cam video that showed a Chicago police officer shooting a 17-year-old suspect 16 times. The autopsy showed that McDonald was shot twice in the back and nine bullet wounds had a downward trajectory. The mayor has denied the claim and acknowledged Wednesday that he should have pressed for prosecutors to wrap up their investigation sooner so the video could be made public.

Alvarez has been criticized for not filing charges earlier in the McDonald case, in which the video shows the teen veering away from officers on a four-lane street when Van Dyke, seconds after exiting his squad vehicle, opens fire from close range.

“We’re dying from police and from food deserts and from closing schools”, said Ware.

At the end of the day, I am the mayor and I own it. I take responsibility for what happened and I will fix it. Nothing less than complete and total reform of the system and the culture will meet the standards we have to set for ourselves.

Ford said the protesters in Chicago could create the momentum to get his new bill a vote. “We don’t want your apology, we want your resignation!” one woman yelled.

It’s been nearly two weeks of protesting for some Chicagoans.

The city’s decision to release additional videos, including that of Coleman’s treatment before his death, is part of efforts at damage control that do not address any of the underlying problems.

Within minutes of the mayor finishing his 45-minute speech – at times going off script and appearing to choke up with emotion – dozens began demonstrating outside council chambers.

Emanuel spoke of black residents’ mistrust of Chicago police, saying it’s unacceptable that some officers treat black people – particularly young men – differently than they do whites, and that there are parents in Chicago who feel they must warn their children to be wary of officers.

Police said immediately after the shooting that Johnson pointed a weapon in the direction of the pursuing officers. Police officers walked behind and beside demonstrators as they proceeded through the streets.