Ex-Chicago Cop Jason Van Dyke Freed Early over Murdering Laquan McDonald; Activists Seek Fed Charges

We go to Chicago, where protests erupted Thursday over the early release of the white ex-police officer Jason Van Dyke, who was convicted of killing a Black 17-year-old named Laquan McDonald in 2014. Van Dyke — who was the first police officer in the United States to be charged with murder for an on-duty shooting — was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison but was freed early for “good behavior” after only serving a little over three years of his sentence. He was only convicted of murder a year after the shooting, when community activists pushed the Chicago police to release video footage of the incident showing Van Dyke shooting McDonald in the back 16 times as the teen was walking away from the scene. We speak with community organizer Will Calloway, who pushed for the video’s release, and activist Justin Blake, uncle of police shooting victim Jacob Blake, who supports calls for Attorney General Merrick Garland to bring federal civil rights charges against Van Dyke. The two were both arrested and federally charged after joining the protests on Thursday.

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[lukefairbanks]

these guys were federally charged...for protesting a murderer cop being let back onto the streets. Can you imagine they would get more time for some petty trumped up charge related to protesting? As they mentioned nonviolent drug offenders get life, murderer cops get bailed out by the system

[kathryncasey]

I wish this story would get as much coverage as the stories about what some entertainer wore on the beach. Our priorities are messed up bad.

[drkstunt]

A sentence of 7 years in itself is an insult.

[Lamin_G]

The two activist guests made excellent points overall. Having said that, what stood out to me, is the segment where Justin Blake calls out the *hypocrisy* of U.S. establishment feigning outrage, and _boycotting_ the Beijing Winter Olympics over the Chinese abuses of Uyghur human rights, while _paying no mind_ to U.S. abuses at home, of African-American human rights.

[elaineburnett]

The release of the Chicago ex-police is a disgrace and abuse of judicial system.

[rodneynelson]

I'm a 76 year old white guy and I have known since I was 14 that there's one justice for rich people and lock up for every body else. This judge needs to go.

[foodparadise]

Remember read an earlier article Amazon worker caught stealing merchandise from the warehouse and was sentenced to 20 something years in prison, yet this is only 3 years. Only fools would believe everyone is equal under the law.

[andrewthurman]

Thank you democracy now for covering this and thank you Justin and Jacob Blake for your activism

[deserteagle]

It’s been like that in Illinois for a long time it’s a different justice system all over this country for people of color.

[Fernando-nzgm]

Raises a good point. Non violent drug offenders are incarcerated much longer. Doesn't make sense

[kineseye]

Wow! 16 times!! And only serve 3 years

[hannibal]

Let’s hope this news stop the gang members in Illinois stop killing each other and realize who there real enemy is.

[jacobzaranyika]

Justice doesn't come easy for people like me. You have to fight for it.

[jacobzaranyika]

With CHILDREN in the backseat. Forever traumatized!

[samuelmahmud]

Great video coverage Amy the black community in Chicago is going to have to keep the gas on the fire and the foot on the paddle to get justice!

[yeoweehuathuat]

16 shot becoz of holding knife in hand!

[PetePools]

This is so wrong. Jason was in a minimum security prison for murder. He did not receive the punishment he deserves and this just shows how the system is biased!!!

[itsme]

Absolutely disgusting. 3 years? If it was the other way around that boy would have never gotten any release

[tcalip]

Of course I personally am very upset to see Someone who was almost on the sidewalk about to reach their destination being gunned down like that. That is why People should have their own mind, beliefs, and understanding in Government. Most Officers would have watched him crossed the street. The Officers would not have shot him like that. Many Officers would have u-turned, gave him a ticket. Or saw that he was jolly and let him be once he was on the sidewalk. Let Officers have their own minds. These videos remind People going into Government to be more fair and take notice to how important these lives are around the World. Sometimes observe a bit more before reacting. When I was doing Security. I truly did not have the mindframe of my Colleagues. If I can see and most People claim that I am blind. There was no need to knock on Truck Drivers doors talking about turn on their lights. These were tactics to gain enemies and most People knew that. Some Government Officials have very screwed up sense of humor and need to let Officers have peace not BS at work. I believe they were driving reckless, doing side shows, and some could have been Government Officials or Employees just wasting People's time. Not amusing or impressive to say the least.

[raincheck]

I’m soooo siiiick of these cops getting off so easy!!