Nov. 27--Marchers protesting the killing of black teenager Laquan McDonald by a white police officer took over North Michigan Avenue on Friday morning at the height of post-Thanksgiving shopping in Chicago's most famous retail district, blocking traffic and causing some stores to lock their doors in the biggest public display since the video of the incident was made public earlier this week.
More than 1,000 people took part in the march, the largest event since a video of the shooting was released Tuesday. And it saw some of the highest profile protesters so far. The Rev. Jesse Jackson, former mayoral candidate and Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia and U.S. Reps. Bobby Rush and Danny Davis walked with the throng, which pushed off from just north of the Chicago River and parked itself in the street in front of the iconic Water Tower about a mile north.
Police shut down northbound Michigan Avenue at the river, and the protesters were marching in the street. Protesters also spilled over onto southbound Michigan Avenue, and traffic was eventually stopped in that direction north of the river as well.
The front end of the march arrived at Water Tower Place around 11:30 a.m., about 30 minutes after the group took to the street.
"We want to show them how it's done in Chicago," one speaker shouted into a megaphone as the group stopped facing Water Tower Place. "Let them just feel the empty cash registers," the speaker shouted. Marchers tried to get into the mall as police blocked the entrance. Protesters also blocked the entrances to some stores while chanting "16 shots," referring to the number of times McDonald was shot. Some stores along Michigan locked their doors as the march went past.
"People listen to economics," said protester Chris Lewis as he blocked the door to the Ralph Lauren store on Michigan Avenue.
The video has drawn nationwide attention to the 17-year-old's October 2014 death, and the Friday march along the Magnificent Mile on a cold, wet morning is the most prominent display by those critical of the incident and the city's response to it.
Marchers carried signs calling for justice for McDonald and for the creation of a community police accountability council. They chanted "justice now" and "If we don't get it, shut it down."
Johnny Reed, a 24-year-old Chicago native now living in Washington, D.C., said he was back in town for the holidays and "supporting home." He noted there's a lot of energy in the aftermath of the video being released but wondered whether protesters will be able to maintain their momentum.
"I see a lot of activity," he said, clad in a tan overcoat, stocking cap and dark sunglasses. "But I'm not sure of the strategy and the actions that we're actually trying to yield here.
"Because ultimately we try to do actions to get a reaction, and so tomorrow and the days following, I'm curious to know what the reaction from our targets is actually going to be.
"In due time," Reed said, "We'll see."
Carolyn Johnson, 53, of Englewood, said she came downtown to press for the firing of police Superintendent Garry McCarthy and Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez because it took so long for charges to be brought against police Officer Jason Van Dyke, who shot McDonald.
"This is what they need to do: clear the air, make it clean. Don't go halfway, go all the way," Johnson said.
Dozens of Chicago police officers lined the marchers' route in front of the high-end stores that North Michigan Avenue is known for. People laden with shopping bags paused to take in the scene and to wait for a chance to cross Michigan Avenue.
The protests so far have been largely peaceful. Police announced a handful of arrests during downtown marches south of the Chicago River in the days after the release of the video.
After announcing that Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis would attend the Friday event, CTU officials later said she was not on hand. The union's vice president, Jesse Sharkey, did take part in the march.
Critics of the city's handling of the investigation into the shooting have asked why it took Emanuel so long to release the video, and why he only did so following a judge's order that the mayor's administration spent months fighting. And they have asked why Van Dyke continued to collect a paycheck for over a year after he shot McDonald 16 times near 41st Street and Pulaski Road.
Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder this week by Alvarez. The charges came just hours before the court-ordered release of the dashboard camera video that shows the officer shooting McDonald, who had PCP in his system at the time of his death.
Protesters have called for the firing of McCarthy and for an independent prosecutor to look into Alvarez's handling of the situation. Emanuel has said he will stand behind McCarthy.
Van Dyke, 37, is being held without bond pending a Monday hearing when a judge in the case will view the video. The officer is no longer being paid by the Chicago Police Department.
