Magnificent Mile Fills With Laquan McDonald Protesters on Black Friday

On a rainy Black Friday, people marched along Michigan Avenue in Chicago to protest a Chicago police officer’s shooting of a 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. By mid-day, the crowds numbered in the thousands.

“Sixteen shots, 13 months,” they chanted as they passed Chicago’s iconic Water Tower and the Macy’s store.

The shooting took place on Oct. 20, 2014. Police Officer Jason Van Dyke wasn’t charged until this week. He faces first-degree murder charge and is due back in court Monday.

One organizer vowed to enter the Chicago Board of Trade building on Michigan Avenue.

“Where they’re trading all their money,” he said. “Shut down the money. We don’t care of they lose billions of dollars. We’re losing lives.”

Protesters entered the Burberry store and chanted “Shut it down.” A crowd gathered in front of the Apple store on Michigan Avenue pushed and shoved with a line of police officers, according to reports on the Chicago Tribune’s Twitter feed. Protesters locked arms in front of the Victoria’s Secret store.

Some retailers chose to lock their doors.

The march was organized by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and a number of African-American elected officials, including Congressman Danny Davis. The Rev. Jesse Jackson and Congressman Bobby Rush were seen marching through the crowd.

The Rev. Michael Pfleger, who touted the Friday march from his pulpit on Sunday, said he had just one message for the day, reports DNAinfo Chicago: “Anita Alvarez, resign.”

Coverage will develop throughout the day.

Can’t see the gallery? View on Patch Chicago’s Storify page

Videos posted on Twitter

Also on Patch

• City’s Black Leaders Demand Firing of Chicago’s Top Cop
• Video Shows Jason Van Dyke Shoot Laquan McDonald
• Police Union Stands by Officer Charged in Murder of Teen
• Angry Protesters Flood Chicago Streets
• Poet, Four Others, Arrested After Night of Unrest
• 5 Perspectives on ‘16 Shots: The Death of Laquan McDonald’
• No Bail for Chicago Cop Charged in ‘Graphic, Violent, Chilling’ Murder
• Teen Shot 16 Times by Chicago Police a ‘Modern-Day Emmett Till’