Religious leaders push for city workers to strike if Van Dyke found not guilty

Activists and faith leaders are calling for citywide protests if suspended Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke is acquitted of murder after shooting a teenager in 2014, asking city workers to join their protest.

Van Dyke stands trial for the shooting death of LaQuan McDonald, charged with two counts of first degree murder, 16 counts of aggravated battery, and one count of official misconduct after shooting McDonald 16 times.

The group, meeting at Quinn Chapel AME Church in the South Loop, said their response strategy takes a four-pronged approach, including taking to city streets immediately, in peace, asking that Van Dyke be charged by federal prosecutors while demanding social and policy change.

They said if CPS students are planning on leaving class in protest they should do so peacefully.

Anything short of a conviction for murder would not be justice, said activist William Calloway.

They’ve also called for changes to the contract between the city and the city’s police union, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7.