Pfleger Calls For City Shut Down If Van Dyke Found Not Guilty

CHICAGO, IL — As the verdict in the Jason Van Dyke trial nears, community leaders, activists and citizens are bracing for a variety of possibilities. Outspoken Saint Sabina Catholic Church Pastor Rev. Michael Pfleger, who earlier this year led a successful shut down of the Dan Ryan Expressway in a march against violence, says another shut down is planned if the jury does not convict Van Dyke, the Chicago police officer charged with first-degree murder in the 2014 death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.

This time the shut down won't be of an expressway, though. It will involve the entire city. "No work. No school. No shopping," a flyer spreading word of the plans indicates.

"We are calling for a peaceful, non-violent shut down of the city," Pfleger wrote on social media this week. "Don't go to work, school or spend any money shopping."

Pfleger's call for a peaceful demonstration is in contrast to other posts that have been made on social media calling for violence. While many of the posts shared by the Chicago Heights Park District Police Department below have now been deleted, screenshots remain of what residents in some city neighborhoods have said is cause for major safety concerns.

Among the plans that have been published include a call to meet at 71st and Jeffrey, the site of another fatal police-involved shooting earlier this year, and a political office-seeking candidate calling for "smoke, smoke, smoke" in areas like Mount Greenwood, Rush Street and the Magnificent Mile.

Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Chair Kimberly A. Lightford calls for solidarity whether Van Dyke is convicted or not.

“We need to come together and let our voices be heard for all of the times black people missed out on their due justice," said Lightford, noting that if Van Dyke is convicted it will be the first time in nearly a half-century that a Chicago police officer would be convicted of murder.

"If you want to yell, yell. If you want to gather, gather. Let’s show how we feel in a peaceful and impactful manner," she said.

“My hope is that we can take this moment to come together to heal Chicago and communities throughout Illinois that are longing for police officers that work for them and a criminal justice system that treats them fairly."

Chicago police plan an all-hands-on-deck approach to the fallout from the verdict, which could come as early as Thursday. 19th Ward Ald. Matt O'Shea said in an email to his constituents, who make up the Mount Greenwood, Beverly and Morgan Park neighborhoods on the far South Side, that there "will be a significant increase" in police presence there. READ MORE: Increased Police Presence Planned On South Side As Van Dyke Verdict Expected Soon

"Special attention will be added for critical infrastructures, including schools, churches and retail areas," O'Shea wrote. "At this time, I must stress the importance of being a good neighbor and remaining vigilant. As always, please call 9-1-1 if you observe any suspicious behavior."

Also, all days off for Chicago police officers will be cancelled until further notice beginning on Thursday.

Patch file photo / Tim Moran