On the evening of November 24, 2015, in Chicago, black youth-led organizers from BYP 100, We Charge Genocide, Fearlessly Leading the Youth, Assata’s Daughters and Black Lives Matter Chicago organized a protest in response to the video release of the murder of LaQuan McDonald. Vic Mensa and Ty Dolla $ign were among those supporting the efforts.

https://twitter.com/ZachStafford/status/669357892454191104

Protesters line up, arm in arm, at the corner of East Balbo and Michigan Avenue in Chicago. #LaquanMcDonald pic.twitter.com/vY52jKSJ5Z

— AJ+ (@ajplus) November 25, 2015

my brother @VicMensa out here for #LaquanMcDonald #stopthecops #16at17 pic.twitter.com/K5qYow1AS5

— BLACK POWER ranger (@MalcolmLondon) November 25, 2015

https://twitter.com/ZachStafford/status/669335274791510017

We still here. We are here because we love fiercely. More have joined #LaquanMcDonald #StoptheCops #FundBlackFutures pic.twitter.com/cTo4sf7mll

— BLACK POWER ranger (@MalcolmLondon) November 25, 2015

“A lot of the police are perpetuating this blue wall of silence.”
Protesters march in Chicago for #LaquanMcDonald.https://t.co/qC3ozcMfR0

— AJ+ (@ajplus) November 25, 2015

As someone who regularly supports these organizations’ efforts at protests, I was not expecting last night to be a “walk in the park.” There are already articles circulating about Chicago being the next “Ferguson.” I presumed that there would be a strong presence from media as well as the police on all fronts due to the increasing tension in the city and the response on social media and elsewhere. Last night, my experience and that of other protesters was absolutely horrific and terrifying.

Additionally, three other organizers were arrested for misdemeanors: Page May, Johnae Strong, and Troy Alim.

They took three of our people and we are not leaving until we get them back. #LaquanMcDonald #16at17 #stopthecops pic.twitter.com/OQpREUNOsZ

— BLACK POWER ranger (@MalcolmLondon) November 25, 2015

CALL and demand release of arrestees held at District 1: Page May, Johnae Strong, Troy Alim (312) 745-4290 #LaquanMcDonald

— BYP100 (@byp100) November 25, 2015

A whole line outside of the police station as we come to get our people. #StopTheCops #LaquanMcDonald #16at17 pic.twitter.com/QbjegTHSTO

— BLACK POWER ranger (@MalcolmLondon) November 25, 2015

Malcolm London, one of the leaders from BYP 100 was wrongfully arrested on trumped charges when we were demonstrating on Roosevelt and Michigan. Lauded as the Gil Scott-Heron of his generation by Cornel West, Malcolm London has impacted people well beyond Chicago with his poetry and work in activism. He, along with other young black organizers, declined to meet with Mayor Rahm Emanuel earlier this week ahead of the release of the video.

One of the protesters, Britteney Kapri, educator, playwright, poet and Chicagoan, details her perspective in an exclusive video of what happened when Malcolm London was arrested:

Protesters, including myself, took to social media to share eyewitness accounts of the behavior of the police last night and:

https://twitter.com/RaychJackson/status/669376888993939456

https://twitter.com/RaychJackson/status/669377152836640768

https://twitter.com/RaychJackson/status/669377453249425408

https://twitter.com/VicMensa/status/669564485611356160

https://twitter.com/lowkeydimo/status/669426769712316416

https://twitter.com/lowkeydimo/status/669427459079733248

https://twitter.com/lowkeydimo/status/669427782645104641

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https://twitter.com/lowkeydimo/status/669428350381916160

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https://twitter.com/lowkeydimo/status/669430025096163328

https://twitter.com/lowkeydimo/status/669430322430349314

https://twitter.com/lowkeydimo/status/669433146128113664

No witness statements were taken when Malcolm was literally surrounded by hundreds of witnesses.

— Damon A. Williams (@Damon_AF) November 25, 2015

After they cuffed Maclolm CPD starting brawling with the crowd to get the car out and using their bikes as weapons.

— Damon A. Williams (@Damon_AF) November 25, 2015

We were NOT going! Once a cop saw he was losing he started choking me and @hufinnej came to try to help. She was then thrown to the ground

— Damon A. Williams (@Damon_AF) November 25, 2015

When we were pinned on the ground a female officer then beginning slamming her bike tire at our heads.

— Damon A. Williams (@Damon_AF) November 25, 2015

As we supporting and defend my brother Malcolm we must remember that 2 of the 4 ppl arrested were black women elementary school teachers

— Damon A. Williams (@Damon_AF) November 25, 2015

They have been released and don't face felonies but know that Black Women are on the front lines

— Damon A. Williams (@Damon_AF) November 25, 2015

https://twitter.com/fenix_rising_/status/669440323534364672

https://twitter.com/fenix_rising_/status/669440381566763008

Media outlets shared video as well:

RAW VIDEO: Protesters confront Chicago police after white officer's murder charge in fatal shooting of black teen: https://t.co/RLpaKYYXqd

— The Associated Press (@AP) November 25, 2015

The initial three organizers who were arrested were eventually released:

Page, Troy and Johnae have been released! Malcolm is still inside and will be held until tomorrow. Keep us lifted up. #LaquanMcDonald

— BYP100 (@byp100) November 25, 2015

Local community organizers, activists and supporters around the country amplified the #FreeMalcolmLondon hashtag encouraging people to call and demand the release of Malcolm London:

Police arrested @MalcolmLondon. He was just standing there and the police snatched him up. #LaquanMcDonald

— BYP100 (@byp100) November 25, 2015

Chicago police have now arrested another BYP100 organizer Malcolm London. Call to demand the release of all protesters ! (312) 745-4290

— BYP100 (@byp100) November 25, 2015

Call and email now. #FreeMalcolmLondon #LaquanMcDonald #BYP100 https://t.co/IPJOATyJuF

— BYP100 (@byp100) November 25, 2015

https://twitter.com/thewayoftheid/status/669542757342568448

#FreeMalcolmLondon. A comrade that many of us have witnessed evolve from a local organizer to a national leader. https://t.co/heE2XfTyRz

— Rahiel Tesfamariam (@RahielT) November 25, 2015

https://twitter.com/Luvvie/status/669541604823183360

don't believe the hype! @MalcolmLondon was targeted. he refused to meet with the mayor yesterday and faces a felony today #FreeMalcolmLondon

— Kevin Coval (@kevincoval) November 25, 2015

If you'd like to donate to help #FreeMalcolmLondon you can find out how to do so right here:https://t.co/lqVzM5MapG pic.twitter.com/qzbwybqlO8

— Andrew Barber (@fakeshoredrive) November 25, 2015

https://twitter.com/stopbeingfamous/status/669536968594845696

https://twitter.com/stopbeingfamous/status/669404345402789890

The Chicago PD is attempting to vilify @MalcolmLondon, an incredible organizer.

But we know the truth. #FreeMalcolmLondon.

— deray (@deray) November 25, 2015

https://twitter.com/VicMensa/status/669569961476558848

https://twitter.com/VicMensa/status/669564112658001920

https://twitter.com/NonameGypsy/status/669570782830264320

#FreeMalcolmLondon A true chicago hero

— nico (@nicosegal) November 25, 2015

Local alderman Roderick Sawyer spoke out as well, asking for the release of Malcolm London:

Free Malcolm London

— Roderick T. Sawyer (@RoderickTSawyer) November 25, 2015

BYP 100 members, and other local organizers and supporters gathered to provide community support at his bond hearing earlier this afternoon:

https://twitter.com/laurenmialki/status/669588246897287169

Charges against Malcolm London have since been dropped as of the afternoon on November 25, 2015.

https://twitter.com/laurenmialki/status/669601188464222213

https://twitter.com/stopbeingfamous/status/669604150808825858

https://twitter.com/chrisdilts/status/669606598487199744

The others who were arrested, however, are still facing charges for misdemeanors and one is facing a felony charge as well as misdemeanors.

In the latest press release from Black Lives Matter Chicago, they included the following demands:

BLMChi continues to demand:
•The immediate discharge and pension revocation, and prosecution of Dante Servin, George Hernandez and Jason Van Dyke.
• The identification of Dakota Bright’s murderer.
• The immediate closing of Homan Square and all other unknown “black sites”.
• The upholding of our Constitutional right to peaceably assemble.

We Demand CPD immediately drop the charges of all arrested.

#LaquanMcDonald #16at17 #StopTheCops #FundBlackFutures

For information on how to donate to bail support, Black Lives Matter or BYP 100, follow this link to Black Lives Matter Chicago’s press release here.

BYP 100

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