Protest targets Chicago shopping district

Demonstrators snarl traffic, make calls for justice in police shooting of black teen

CHICAGO— Demonstrators filled the streets of this city’s premier shopping district Friday, demanding justice in the shooting death of a black teenager by a white Chicago police officer.

“Sixteen shots! Thirteen months!” they chanted on North Michigan Ave., referring to the number of bullet wounds the teenager, Laquan McDonald, sustained and the length of time it took to bring charges against the officer who shot him.

Around the nation, protests were planned in other cities on one of the busiest shopping days of the year in expressions of dismay over police conduct and the treatment of black people.

In Chicago, along the stretch known as the Magnificent Mile, traffic snarled and was rerouted as shoppers stopped along the sidewalk, stared and took video with their phones. The Rev. Jesse Jackson and Reps. Danny K. Davis and Bobby L. Rush marched in the rain with a crowd that included a mix of ages and races.

“A police officer is supposed to protect us,” said Deborah Lindsey, 66. “This was just shooting a child — and 16 times? That’s just wrong.”

There were moments of confusion as entrances were locked at one point at Water Tower Place, a glassy indoor mall, and shoppers were told they could not enter. Barricades were placed outside. At least one arrest occurred early in the demonstration after a protester stepped in front of cars with his arms up.

Chicago police said they did not have a crowd estimate, although there appeared to be hundreds. Many expressed anger at Jason Van Dyke, the officer charged Tuesday with murder in the 2014 shooting.