Laquan McDonald 'Represents Thousands of Laquans With Same Black Skin,' Minister Uncle Says

For the first time, the family of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald is speaking out since the release of a police dashcam video “that shows him walking and then dying” as he is shot 16 times by a Chicago police officer.

Speaking at press conference in North Lawndale where McDonald lived and died, Rev. Marvin Hunter, pastor of Grace Memorial Baptist Church, and the slain youth’s great uncle, described his nephew as a gentle giant who liked to joke around. Being a gang member wasn’t in his nature.

“He was a big boy, a teddy bear,” Hunter said. “He didn’t fit Jason Van Dyke’s perception of his personality of a gangster. He had dreads, but that doesn’t mean Laquan was dreadful.”

Hunter said his nephew represented “thousands of Laquan McDonalds with the same black skin, same poverty same social and economic injustice put upon them, but with different names and different ages” who’ve been “shot in the back” by police, and yet the officers continue to work.

“The death of Laquan is not to make people famous,” Hunter said. “It stems from a problem that has been there ever since there was America. It stems from racism and hatred. There is police brutality and yet nothing is being done about it.”

He thanked the young people who’ve been marching for justice ”day after day, even in the rain,” calling them family, and President Barack Obama for sending the Department of Justice to investigate the Chicago police department.

“Black people, people of color, and poor people are being mistreated by this legal system here called the Chicago police,” Hunter said. “We want a change to come to America.”

Hunter called for a White House summit to be convened in North Lawndale that would address gun violence, urban poverty and police brutality.

“Change needs to start from the top down,” the minister said. “Where there is poverty there is crime. Send the federal resources we need to our communities to make a difference.”

Hunter also addressed public perception that Laquan, who had spent most of his young life in foster care, didn’t have a family.

“I’m not going to get into all that,” Hunter said, addressing why his great nephew was in the foster care system. “But Laquan comes from a family. Our love for him was real.”

The young man’s mother, Tina Hunter, wasn’t at the press conference, because she is traumatized by the constant replaying of the video of her son’s senseless death on TV.

“One of the problems this family has had … we felt the media was insensitive,” Hunter said. “We understand the media has to make money, but how would you feel? I don’t want to see it anymore. If she were standing here right now she’d just cry. ”

Hunter would not directly address questions of whether the family feels Mayor Rahm Emanuel should resign, but said family members hold Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez responsible for not investigating the facts of McDonald’s death when they were first presented to her.

“Anita Alvarez has forfeited the higher ground of public trust.” he said. “I hold Anita Alvarez accountable. She should resign.”

The family never wanted the video of Laquan McDonald’s death released.

“There is a perception that Tina is walking around with $5 million in her pocket. How can you place a value on a family member’s life,” Hunter said, addressing the city’s settlement with the family. “It’s taken all of my pastoral skill to comfort her. I keep reassuring her that ‘God will let you smile again.’”