The following reblog is from one of my favorite blogs We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident
The murder of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by Jason Van Dyke. Chicago Police/DAs office intentionally concealed evidence that would bring justice for the murder of Laquan McDonald. Police Officer Van Dyke was on paid administrative duty for a year before he was arrested. His arrest came after city officials were forced to release the video of Laquan’s murder.
About a week ago, the prosecutor rested its case in the trial. But did the prosecutor seek justice for the murder of Laquan McDonald or seed doubt about Van Dyke’s guilt? With only one black juror seems a juror of his peers is not seeking justice for the murder of Laquan McDonald. The jury selection is stacked for Van Dyke’s release.
Laquan’s case is yet another example of structural racism on display in the US criminal court system. It’s an example of why and how racial disparity lives and breathes within the US criminal court system. There would be no trial if an independent journalist did not persevere on seeking the release of the video where police officer Jason Van Dyke murdered Laquan McDonald in cold blood. Think about that, the prosecutor and police department withheld evidence that would implicate a police officer in a murder.
Dear Angela,
Weekend hugs! By the way, my blog will be resting for some months due to a larger Project:
“WiPoKuLi: A few Months Rest Needed!”: https://wipokuli.wordpress.com/2018/09/22/wipokuli-a-few-months-rest-needed-wipokuli-einige-monate-ruhe-noetig/
Weekend hugs, Andreas. Good Luck with your project! Get some rest too, will miss you.
Angela, thanks so much for the reblog. Personally, I was surprised that they only selected one Black American for the jury since Chicago is about 31 percent Black. Also, the special prosecutor , Marilyn Hite Ross, is on loan for the Van Dyke case from Winnebago County where her boss, State’s Attorney Joseph Brucasto, has a pattern of not prosecuting law enforcement officers who have killed unarmed Black teens and men.
My pleasure!
I’ve come to realize a reblog is a way of amplifying relevant stories that should get widespread media attention but don’t. As bloggers we should become organized in helping each other spread stories that matter.
How many times can they use the same playbook and get away with murder?