VAN DYKE TRIAL RIOT IN CHICAGO
On Friday, October 5, 2018, the final verdict was made for the case of Jason Van Dyke’s murder trial from October of 2014. He faces 19 counts for the death of Laquan McDonald. Van Dyke holds two counts of first-degree murder, and one count of official misconduct. Additionally, there are 16 counts of aggravated battery representing each shot fired at the young boy. It would seem to many of those uninvolved that justice was served that afternoon, but still, protesters lined Michigan Ave around 4 PM to fight for more. Initially, six counts of first degree murder were up against Van Dyke, but four were dropped, resulting in a lesser sentence. Many of the protestors efforts were motivated towards giving Van Dyke his max sentence, though they show up to fight not in just the name of Laquan McDonald, but for the many who have held the same fate as the spoken of 17 year old from Austin.
“I’m sick of living in a society in which you have a section of the population who has to fear for their lives on a daily basis. Who’s marginalized by austerity, by school closures, by their lack of any social welfare. And at the same time has to fear for being murdered on the streets. Seeing those responsible not have any accountability? I’m here to fight for a better world.”
-Anonymous
Video Footage
The riot itself comprised of all ethnicities, but primarily young people. There were signs advocating for greater punishment for Van Dyke, various organizations that were in the fight with all of those who felt oppressed. Around 4 PM, about 1500 hundred people lined Michigan Ave, and were lead by a strong front line of advocates with microphones and passion. Various chants echoed the tunnels of the city as a slow, but confident, stride carried the movement. These chants were focused on the faultiness of the government pertaining to police brutality, putting down specific political figures, and a clear demand for justice the way that they saw it. See the slideshow of images depicting this scene.
“I mean, for black people in this country, Laquan represents us. We’ve been getting killed in this country, and we’ve been not entitled to justice. Some people are calling it a victory, to me it’s a given. He shot Laquan 16 times, if he wasn’t convicted, the city would’ve righteously been able to riot. However, I think we need to think about how this represents a system of complicity in terms of violence against black people. The only reason he’s being convicted is because he was going overboard right, he shot Laquan 16 times. What about the officer that just shot once? I think those cops will still get off. I don’t know if this is going to change much.”
-Anonymous
“I’m here to fight for a better world.”
We must seek understanding in love, listen without the intent of speaking, and abide by the commandment to love ALL neighbors as ourselves.