Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Charges Dismissed Against Chicago Protester Accused Of Hitting Police Officer

CHICAGO — A bond court judge dismissed all charges Wednesday against a popular protest organizer who was accused of hitting a Chicago police officer.

Malcolm London's arrest on Tuesday night during protests over the video release of the Laquan McDonald shooting prompted a demonstration Wednesday afternoon to advocate for his release.

Outside the court house, London told reporters, "I'm happy to be with my people."

The crowd that had initially gathered to demonstrate immediate broke into celebration after hearing the news.

According to those who knew and worked with him, London was a leading voice among the youth movement for police reform in Chicago.

"Students look up to him. He helped me believe in my voice," former classmate Nidalis Burgos told BuzzFeed News.

Crowds gathered outside the Chicago court house ahead of London's bond hearing. Eyewitness accounts from people near the 22-year-old at the time of the incident suggest he may have been targeted.

A Facebook user named Bee Kapri posted a video Wednesday detailing her view of the incident between London and police officers.

According to a Chicago Police report, London had been identified as a protester who suffered injuries to their right eye.

A spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department told BuzzFeed News that four officers had been injured during the protests Tuesday night, but did not immediately confirm a connection between any of the injured officers and London.

The other person who was charged with a felony Tuesday night, Dean Vanriper, was recommended to be released with electric monitoring.