Chicago protests over police shooting of Laquan McDonald
Protests, calling for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to resign, continued after his apology at a City Council meeting, Dec. 9, 2015. The city and its officials have faced increased criticism after a white Chicago police officer, Jason Van Dyke, 37, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of black teenager Laquan McDonald, 17, on Oct. 20, 2014. Authorities released a dash cam video of the shooting hours after charges were filed against Van Dyke.
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced Dec. 7 that the Justice Department would open an investigation into the Chicago Police Department.
In this photo, demonstrators chant as they walk the streets in Chicago, Nov. 24, 2015.
Shooting death of Laquan McDonald
Protesters block the interstate highway traffic coming into downtown Chicago, Dec. 9, 2015, after Mayor Rahm Emanuel apologized for the 2014 shooting of a black teenager during a special City Council meeting.
Emanuel criticized the police department for being quick to shoot, saying the department's "supervision and leadership" had failed.
Chicago protests
Protesters march near downtown Chicago, Dec. 9, 2015 in Chicago after Mayor Rahm Emanuel apologized for the 2014 shooting of a black teenager during a special City Council meeting that he called to discuss a police abuse scandal at the center of the biggest crisis of his administration, and promised "complete and total" reform to restore trust in the police.
Chicago protests
Protesters block traffic at an intersection at the City and County building during a march calling for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez to resign, Dec. 9, 2015.
Shooting death of Laquan McDonald
Lamon Reccord acknowledges fellow protesters while being released by Chicago police officers during a march calling for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez to resign, Dec. 9, 2015 in Chicago.
Reccord was taken into custody, which prompted protesters to block the vehicle that was housing him.
Chicago protests
Lamon Reccord is taken into custody by Chicago police officers during a march calling for Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez to resign, Dec. 9, 2015.
Chicago protests
Protesters demonstrate outside the city council chambers as Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel addresses a special session of the Chicago City Council as his administration continues to come under fire as allegation of extreme misconduct in the Chicago Police Department continue to surface on Dec. 9, 2015.
Many people are calling for the mayor to resign, accusing him of trying to cover up the misconduct.
Chicago protests
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel addresses a special session of the Chicago City Council as his administration continues to come under fire because of continuing allegations of extreme misconduct in the city police department, Dec. 9, 2015.
Chicago protests
Protesters demonstrate outside the city council chambers as Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel addresses a special session of the Chicago City Council on Dec. 9, 2015.
Shooting death of Laquan McDonald
Demonstrators protesting the shooting death of Ronald Johnson rally in the Washington Park neighborhood on Dec. 7, 2015 in Chicago.
Police say Johnson had a gun in his hand when he was shot; Johnson's family and their attorney dispute this claim. The case gained new attention after the video of the shooting death of Laquan McDonald was released.
Shooting death of Laquan McDonald
Police officers scuffle with protesters during a demonstration in Chicago, Nov. 24, 2015.
Police Officer Jason Van Dyke shot McDonald 16 times.
Shooting death of Laquan McDonald
A demonstrator scuffles with a police officer after protests broke out in Chicago, Nov. 24, 2015.
Officials said about a half-dozen protesters were arrested.
Shooting death of Laquan McDonald
Protesters march with photos of people killed by police in a demonstration in Chicago, Nov. 24, 2015.
Chicago protests
A woman greets protesters out of a car window after Police Officer Jason Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder.
Shooting death of Laquan McDonald
Demonstrators hold signs bearing the name of Laquan McDonald during protests in Chicago, Nov. 24, 2015.
Shooting death of Laquan McDonald
A protester walks past a line of police officers standing guard in front of the District 1 police headquarters in Chicago, Nov. 24, 2015.
Shooting death of Laquan McDonald
A demonstrator chants as he marches through the streets during protests in Chicago, Nov. 24, 2015.
Shooting death of Laquan McDonald
Protesters demonstrate after the release of a video showing the shooting of Laquan McDonald, in Chicago, Nov. 24, 2015.
Shooting death of Laquan McDonald
Demonstrators hold hands to block an intersection while a line of police keeps watch during protests in Chicago, Nov. 24, 2015.
Shooting death of Laquan McDonald
Demonstrators walk through the streets during protests in Chicago, Nov. 24, 2015.
Shooting death of Laquan McDonald
Laquan McDonald (R) walks on a road before he was shot 16 times by police Officer Jason Van Dyke in Chicago, in this still image taken from a police vehicle dash camera video shot on October 20, 2014, and released by Chicago Police on November 24, 2015.
Van Dyke, a white Chicago policeman was charged on Nov. 24, 2015 with first-degree murder.