Seven Years After Laquan McDonald Was Murdered, Chicagoans Protest Rahm Emanuel As He Vies For Ambassadorship

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https://blockclubchicago.org/2021/10/20/7-years-after-laquan-mcdonald-was-murdered-chicagoans-protest-rahm-emanuel-as-he-vies-for-ambassadorship/

"CHICAGO — Seven years ago, police officer Jason Van Dyke shot 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times on the Southwest Side. It was more than a year before footage of the teen’s death became a global flashpoint for police violence and nearly four years before Van Dyke was convicted for murdering him.

To mark the anniversary of McDonald’s murder Wednesday, organizers rallied Downtown to honor the slain teen and protest former Mayor Rahm Emanuel, whose administration tried to block the release of videos showing Van Dyke shooting McDonald.

Speakers from progressive and abolitionist movements spoke near a poster of McDonald’s high school graduation photo. Many said they’d woken up on the anniversary of his killing feeling unwell and disturbed.

Hours before their demonstration, Emanuel sat before senators in Washington, D.C., in hopes of being confirmed as the ambassador to Japan. If he’s confirmed, it will be Emanuel’s first major government role since he decided not to run for re-election as mayor in the wake of the McDonald scandal.

For some Chicagoans, the former mayor’s attempt to return to a high-profile role is hard to swallow — particularly as their fight against systemic racism and police violence continues. Organizers said Emanuel is being “white washed” by a Democratic White House.

“He failed our city. He covers up the murder of a 17-year-old,. He closed 50 schools on the South and West sides. He closed mental health clinics throughout the city of Chicago,” Calloway told the crowd. “You think that’s the best qualified candidate to represent the United States as an ambassador? Say that ain’t right.”