Chicago police have reportedly made three arrests–thus far–at demonstrations that broke out Tuesday evening following the release of a video showing the shooting death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald last October. McDonald was shot 16 times by Officer James Van Dyke, who was recently charged with murder.
City authorities fought the release of the video, fearing a public backlash. A Cook County judge ordered the video’s release, and police have fanned out across the city in anticipation of vehement protests.
Local leaders, including the mayor, clergy, and civil rights activists, had called for calm earlier in the day. By nightfall, several hundred protestors had begun marching through the city, blocking key intersections and challenging police.
More demonstrations are expected in the coming days, including a Black Friday demonstration in which Father Michael Pfleger hopes to block Michigan Avenue, the “Magnificent Mile,” during the most popular and important shopping day of the retail industry calendar.