President Obama commented on the video that was released of the shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by a police officer in Chicago.
“Like many Americans, I was deeply disturbed by the footage of the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald,” he wrote on his personal Facebook page this evening.
The video of the shooting was released yesterday, sparking renewed protests in Chicago. The police officer involved in the shooting, Jason Van Dyke, was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder.
Obama encouraged Americans to remember those who suffered the loss of a loved one, especially during Thanksgiving.
“This Thanksgiving, I ask everybody to keep those who’ve suffered tragic loss in our thoughts and prayers, and to be thankful for the overwhelming majority of men and women in uniform who protect our communities with honor,” he said.
He also praised protesters in his hometown.
“I’m personally grateful to the people of my hometown for keeping protests peaceful,” he wrote.
According to reports in Chicago, protesters are blocking traffic this evening and chanting, “The whole damn system is guilty.”