Activists Call for DOJ to Expand Investigation in Chicago

In Chicago, that commonality is not only evident through media reports and statistics, but it is the true cause of why thousands of Chicagoans filled the streets in the name of Mr. McDonald with various forms of protest following the release of a video showing the fatal October shooting.

Demonstrators stage a die-in in front of City Hall during a march through downtown on December 10, calling fro the resignation of Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

The pastors are circulating a petition of “no confidence” in Emanuel, and are supportive of a Chicago state lawmaker’s proposal to allow for the mayor to be removed from office, a measure that was introduced Wednesday.

The family of Laquan McDonald will speak publicly for the first time Friday morning at 11:15. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice opens a sweeping probe of Chicago Police Department patterns and practices going back decades. There have been allegations of a cover-up and calls for new leadership at City Hall and the State’s Attorney’s office. “I think we have a very inappropriate action by a police officer, and it’s despicable and it disturbs me that it was hidden for such a long period of time”, Carson told reporters, adding that the delay “was a very inappropriate action”.

“We have more of a problem in the office of the state’s attorney as it pertains to Laquan McDonald… and the people that suffered this injustice than we do in the mayor’s office”, he said. When asked on Monday if the president had spoken to the mayor about the broader situation in Chicago, Earnest said he was not aware of a conversation.

Chicago officials fought the release of the video, arguing it could interfere with any resulting court case.

Police stripped Van Dyke of his police powers after the shooting and put him on paid desk duty pending the outcome of the investigation.

Emanuel has taken steps to reform the police, including setting up a task force to review accountability and a nationwide search for a new police superintendent.

Prosecutors made a decision to charge Van Dyke because he was not facing an immediate threat from McDonald, and because he continued to fire at the teen as he lay on the ground after being shot.

Squad auto footage of the shooting was released late last month, and there have been nearly daily protests. Emanuel apologized in recent days that the incident occurred under his administration.