Protesters demanded resignation of Mayor in Chicago following his apology over teenager's death.
Protests erupted in the streets after Mayor Rahm Emanuel apologised for the death of a black kid shot 16 times by a police officer last year. The crowd chanted '16 shots and a cover-up' demanding that the Mayor step down from his post.
The mayor promised total reform after Jason Van Dyke, the police officer who shot Laquan McDonald, 17, was charged with murder.
'I take responsibility for what happened because it happened on my watch,' promised Mr Emanuel. 'And if we're going to fix it, I want you to understand it's my responsibility with you. But if we're also going to begin the healing process, the first step in that journey is my step.'
Despite the Mayor taking responsibility for the injustice brought upon the boy, he also pointed out the failure of the Chicago Police Department's leadership and actions. Mr Emanuel also dismissed the police chief from responsibility and formed a task force to carry out police accountability.
The apology, however, was not enough for the citizens seeing that they demanded the Mayor's immediate resignation. They marched up to a line of police officers and eventually filled Michigan Avenue, one of the many streets in Chicago. Some demonstrators appeared calm but nevertheless occupied the streets which caused traffic and blocked the roads.
The investigation on McDonald became crystal clear after a video of Dyke shooting him was released last November. A Cook County judge ordered city officials to release the recording after it was somehow withheld from the public eye for over a year.
The protests lasted days following the Mayor's apology. But despite that, demonstrators believe that Mr Emanuel had a part in the cover up of the McDonald shooting and he must voluntarily leave his position.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
