BRONZEVILLE — Over 100 people gathered to commemorate the second anniversary of the death of Laquan McDonald Thursday, and if activists and community members have their way, every Oct. 20 will be known as "Laquan Day."
Thursday marked the two-year anniversary of the death of McDonald, a 17-year-old fatally shot by Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke 16 times in Archer Heights.
"Laquan Day" would be filled with rallies and remembrances of McDonald. It would also serve as a day to assess how police and government reforms are working and what other measures are needed.
Activists and community members used the anniversary to rally outside Chicago Police Department Headquarters, 3501 S. Michigan Ave., to demand justice for McDonald and to put an end to racist police practices.
"We're here to honor Laquan McDonald," Pastor Kevin Jones told the crowd gathered outside police headquarters. "We're also here to say, this is our city and we ain't giving it back."
McDonald's shooting at the hands of police galvanized activists and community members, who said the video of McDonald's death is proof of an injustice they have suffered for a long time.
Rev. Gregory Livingston recalled the story of McDonald's death, how Officer Jason Van Dyke was only on the scene for a few moments before firing 16 shots at McDonald, many of them while he was already on the ground.
"A dog should not be treated so badly," he said. "We're turning our pain into policy."
Not only were activists calling for a "Laquan Day," but they are also advocating for the passing of the Laquan McDonald Law, a state bill that would help citizens oust politicians who abuse their powers.
The bill was announced earlier Thursday by William Calloway, a South Side activist who helped release the footage of McDonald's death and also organized Thursday night's rally.
Activists said the footage has lead to change within the police department, but Calloway said citizens still don't have enough power over their law enforcement and political leaders. That would change with the Laquan Law, he said.
Rapper Che "Rhymefest" Smith was at the rally and performed a verse about political change before asking everyone present to support the law.
"Violence of the South Side ... it's gonna cost the Gold Coast. It's gonna cost LaSalle Street," he said. "We need to activate."
Rhymefest at the Laquan McDonald rally with a freestyle on freedom and protest pic.twitter.com/JSEU1Z9oX6
— Joe Ward (@JayDubWard) October 20, 2016
McDonald's case garnered national attention, and even drew Tyler Procter from his home in South Carolina to Chicago, where he said he came as part of a mission to engage in social justice work.
"As a white person, to be silent is to consent to the violence," Procter said. "I couldn't sit and watch this on my TV from South Carolina."
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