Activists Plan Rally Friday For Teen In Violent Oak Lawn Arrest Video

OAK LAWN, IL — Activists are planning to hold a rally on behalf of a 17-year-old boy who was seen on a citizen’s video being beaten by Oak Lawn police officers after he allegedly fled a traffic stop last week.

The #Justice4Hadi rally will start at 5 p.m. Friday, in front of Oak Lawn Municipal Hall, 9446 S. Raymond Ave., which also houses the Oak Lawn Police Department.

A citizen's video taken July 27 captured two Oak Lawn police officers punching prone 17-year-old Hadi Abuataleh on the side of his head and legs. The two were joined by a third officer, who tasered the teen. Police said the teen fled a traffic stop after the car he was riding in was stopped because it did not have a front registration plate and smelled of "burnt cannabis." The teen was also found to be carrying a loaded .25-caliber gun in an accessory bag, police have said.

Oak Lawn police have released police dashboard camera video showing the controversial arrest. The Oak Lawn police officers maintain they were in fear for their lives because they believed the teen was carrying a firearm.

The teen was hospitalized for several days at Advocate Christ Medical Center, reportedly suffering internal bleeding in the brain, a broken nose, a broken pelvis and other injuries. Abuataleh was charged as a juvenile with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and resisting arrest, both felonies. The teen also faces misdemeanor charges.

Abuataleh left the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center using a walker after he was released to the custody of his parents following a detention hearing. Cook County prosecutors are expected to review the charges to determine whether to proceed with the case, Abuateleh’s attorney said.

"Our belief is the state's attorney is investigating more closely because of the circumstances," the teen’s attorney Shady Yassin said Tuesday at a news conference.

Since the viral video of the teen’s arrest, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has called for an independent review by the Illinois State Police. The teen has also filed a federal lawsuit against the Oak Lawn Police Department and the three officers involved.

Activists are calling for the officers to be fired and charged. Participating activist groups include the Arab American Action Network, Rainbow Push Coalition, Southsiders for Peace, the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, Palestinian American Community Center and the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.

The Oak Lawn Public Library, located across the street from village hall, will close at 4 p.m. Friday.