Photo by Gretchen Villaluna Baria /Moonhouse Productions
Following the release of 2014 Chicago police dashcam video that shows the brutal murder of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, thousands poured into the streets Tuesday night to demand justice and an end to police-sanctioned racial violence. Among them was MC Vic Mensa, who marched and chanted alongside demonstrators. Mensa is visible in multiple video clips shot during last night's events, and in one the 22-year-old stresses “We want justice for Laquan and we want justice for our people."
Laquan McDonald was shot and killed by officer Jason Van Dyke in October of 2014; Van Dyke now faces first-degree murder charges. Video of Van Dyke shooting McDonald (which is deeply unsettling) has been posted here. A judge ordered the video be made public, and almost immediately afterward, rightful outrage followed.
The New York Times reports that McDonald's family had opposed the video's release. In a statement, the family attested, "No one understands the anger more than us, but if you choose to speak out, we urge you to be peaceful,” the family said. “Don’t resort to violence in Laquan’s name. Let his legacy be better than that.” And despite multiple scuffles around Chicago Tuesday night, the Chicago Tribune reports that the night remained relatively peaceful. 22 demonstrators were arrested, including community organizer Malcolm London.
At other times during the evening, protesters also changed Kendrick Lamar's "Alright," which has become something of an anthem for those pushing back against police brutality around the country.
