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                   16 SHOTS

                             & A COVER UP

The second anniversary of the shooting death of Laquan McDonald was remembered with a rally outside Chicago Police headquarters, where demonstrators called for the prosecution of police officers who use deadly force and encouraged people to support the passage of Illinois House Bill 6616, the Laquan McDonald Act.

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The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ken Dunkin (5th), would establish “a procedure for an election to recall the Mayor of Chicago, an alderman of the City of Chicago, and the Cook County State’s Attorney.” The proposed legislation was inspired by the fallout of the release of the McDonald shooting video in 2015 .

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William Calloway, a community activist from South Shore who organized the rally and was instrumental in getting the Laquan McDonald tape released, speaks before State Rep. Ken Dunkin introduces the LaQuan McDonald Act to recall elected officials who cover up crimes on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016. Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke could be seen on dashcam video shooting the 17-year-old boy 16 times in the 4100 block of South Pulaski on Oct. 20, 2014.

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In November 2015, after an order from a Cook County judge, the city released the video, sparking weeks of protest and calls for Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez and then-Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy to resign. Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder hours before the video was released, a move that drew much skepticism from activists and community leaders who believed the decision to wait to file charges was to ensure Emanuel’s re-election.

Members and supporters hold up messages for the officers and media onsite
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