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Lambda Legal Condemns Police Violence, Stands With Chicago Community

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Know the laws in your state that protect LGBT people and people living with HIV.
November 25, 2015

(Chicago, November 25, 2015) —Yesterday, the city of Chicago was left reeling after the release of a brutally violent video showing the killing of Laquan McDonald, a 17-year-old Black teenager who was shot 16 times by Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke in October 2014. Van Dyke was charged with First Degree Murder yesterday after a Cook County judge ordered the release of a Chicago Police Department dashcam video showing the shooting. Lambda Legal released the following statement from Executive Director Kevin Cathcart:

“This story is all too familiar, and, once again, shows unnecessary violence perpetrated against a Black person at the hands of the police – who take oaths to protect and serve all citizens. The subsequent inaction only furthered the pain of a community whose faith in this system is left wanting.

“We are outraged at the murder of Laquan McDonald, and the time it has taken for the Chicago Police Department to release the dashcam video and the State’s Attorney to file charges.  We extend our deepest sympathy to Laquan McDonald’s family, and to every family affected by unnecessary and unjustified police violence. We hope that justice is done and that Laquan’s family, friends, and community find the support they need.

“Lambda Legal has a long history of standing up against misconduct by police and other government officials. We know that bias and prejudice can lead to injustice. We will continue to work with our sister LGBT organizations and other civil rights organizations to fight to make sure that police are properly protecting and serving all the public, including LGBT people and people living with HIV.”

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Contact Info

Contact Jonathan Adams: T:  212-809-8585 x 267

C: 646-752-3251 ;  jadams@lambdalegal.org

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