Obama Thanks His Hometown for Keeping the Laquan McDonald Protests Peaceful

President Obama took to Facebook a short while ago to address the black teen whose brutal death has been a major source of racial contention towards police over the past few days:

Like many Americans, I was deeply disturbed by the footage of the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. This Thanksgiving, I ask everybody to keep those who’ve suffered tragic loss in our thoughts and prayers, and to be thankful for the overwhelming majority of men and women in uniform who protect our communities with honor. And I’m personally grateful to the people of my hometown for keeping protests peaceful.

Laquan McDonald has renewed a spark in Chicago after new developments occurred regarding the case of how he was being shot to death by a policeman last year. McDonald died after being shot 16 times after not heeding the orders of Jason Van Dyke, and as the debate continues over the officer’s use of lethal force, the newly released dash cam video of the encounter has prompted local residents to protest.

Van Dyke is currently facing murder charges for McDonald’s death, and reports have suggested that the demonstrations around the city have largely been peaceful and orderly. The Washington Post reported that at least five demonstrators have been arrested, but also that a police spokesman said these were isolated incidents, and no damages have been reported to persons or property.

[image via screengrab]

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