EMBED >More News Videos Demonstrators took to the streets after Jason Van Dyke was convicted Friday. Chicagoans watch TVs in Downtown Chicago as Officer Van Dyke is found guilty of 2nd degree murder. #VanDykeMurderTrial #Vandyke pic.twitter.com/ULJgb0fISg — Stacey Baca (@StaceyBacaABC7) October 5, 2018 EMBED >More News Videos Demonstrations stopped all traffic at the intersection of Ontario and Michigan Friday. FACE OFF - Protesters make their way to Michigan Avenue and are headed northbound now. Police let them through this line. #VanDyke #VanDykeGuilty pic.twitter.com/ci0P1xYI9V — Stacey Baca (@StaceyBacaABC7) October 5, 2018 EMBED >More News Videos CPD officials said Friday's demonstrations were peaceful and resulted in no arrests. Protesters outside City Hall shouting “we did it” after Officer Van Dyke is found guilty of 2nd-degree murder. pic.twitter.com/0CuXRij8zy — Stacey Baca (@StaceyBacaABC7) October 5, 2018 Protesters have now descended on City Hall and are marching around it. They’re almost appears to be a festive atmosphere in their ranks @ABC7Chicago pic.twitter.com/wdr0sT1v87 — Craig Wall ABC 7 (@craigrwall) October 5, 2018 EMBED >More News Videos Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke was taken into custody after a Cook County judge revoked his bail. Van Dyke was found guilty in the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald. EMBED >More News Videos Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke was found guilty of second-degree murder and 16 counts EMBED >More News Videos Civic leaders including the Chicago Black Caucus and Father Michael Pfleger shared their reactions to Van Dyke's conviction. In the Van Dyke trial, 12 jurors reviewed the evidence and rendered their verdict. We should all respect their decision. Now is the time to move forward as a community. — Governor Rauner (@GovRauner) October 5, 2018 EMBED >More News Videos Father Michael Pfleger spoke with ABC7 about the Van Dyke verdict. CHICAGO (WLS) -- A group of demonstrators gathered outside the courtroom Friday as Jason Van Dyke was found guilty of second degree murder in the death of Laquan McDonald.Van Dyke was also found guilty on 16 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm, one count for each shot fired at McDonald. He was found not guilty of official misconduct.At approximately 4 p.m., protesters had reached Michigan Avenue and headed north, blocking traffic. Police prevented the demonstration from moving farther north than Wacker Drive. The crowd then went west on Wacker toward Wabash Avenue and stopped outside Trump Tower.At 5:15 p.m., the demonstrators had stopped all traffic at the intersection of Ontario and Michigan Avenue and chanted, "It does not stop here. "As of 6 p.m., the demonstrations had largely dissipated. CPD officials said the nearly four-hour protest was peaceful and there were no arrests.Earlier in the afternoon, a group praised the jury for the verdict. Some said that although previous statements indicated they would not be satisfied with less than a first degree murder conviction, they were satisfied with the decision because each count of aggravated battery carried a minimum sentence of six years behind bars.Other demonstrators expressed frustration that Van Dyke was not convicted of first degree murder.Outside city hall, a group of demonstrators chanted "16 shots," which was met with the response, "guilty. "Demonstrators said they hoped to see Van Dyke go to prison for the rest of his life. "It means for me that I can go back home and talk to my son about what Chicago is trying to do to hold police officers accountable...I'm happy for Chicago that they came up with that verdict," one mother said.In preparation for reactions to the verdict, Chicago police were scheduled to work 12-hour shifts and days off were cancelled.Alderman John Arena of the 45th Ward said many police officers live in his ward and that he believed the verdict was fair. "I think the majority of officers are part of the justice system, and hopefully they see this as the process was fair, it was lengthy...If we accept that the system works, then this is a fair decision," Arena said.In a joint statement, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police Department Superintendent Eddie Johnson said:Governor Bruce Rauner tweeted in response to the verdict, asking the public to respect the jury's decision.In a statement released Friday, the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police expressed anger at the jury. "This is a day I never thought I'd see in America, where 12 ordinary citizens were duped into saving the asses of self-serving politicians at the expense of a dedicated public servant. This sham trial and shameful verdict is a message to every law enforcement officer in America that it's not the perpetrator in front of you that you need to worry about, it's the political operatives stabbing you in the back," the statement read. "What cop would still want to be proactive fighting crime after this disgusting charade, and are law abiding citizens ready to pay the price? "Kevin Graham, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, held a press conference after the verdict was read. "What it says is we don't understand the job and sacrifice you make," he said of the verdict. "Things in the city will be calm tonight, and we do think that Jason has a tough road to go, but he is not standing alone. The Fraternal Order of Police is standing with the officer. "Graham added that all CPD officers he had spoken to did not believe that Van Dyke should have been convicted.The ACLU of Illinois released a statement Friday that called for continued work to reform CPD practices. The statement read:In a statement, Father Michael Pfleger said:We must bring reform to the police department and to the justice system. Tomorrow we continue to fight to bring equality, equity, and justice to the south and west sides of Chicago. We also put on notice all elected officials that our vote cannot be bought, but must be earned by proposing and delivering concrete ideas, policies, and actions to equal the playing field in Chicago and ending the tale of two cities. "Reverend Jesse Jackson also issued a statement Friday and called for the officers who aided in covering up the shooting to be punished.Laquan McDonald was taken from his family and sent to his grave nearly four years ago. Today, his killer, Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke, was taken from his family and should spend years to come in a prison cell. "The evidence was overwhelming, and the jury rendered a measure of justice. But Van Dyke should not suffer this alone. Those who covered up the tapes for 400 days should take some responsibility. Those police officers who lied on the scene should be punished. The role of the Fraternal Order of Police should be investigatedMayoral candidate Bill Daley called the verdict a "new beginning" for Chicago and called for a re-commitment to the safety of the city. "This brings to an end a tragic, painful episode in our history but must also mark a new beginning for our city," Daley said in a statement released Friday. "This is a moment when all of Chicago needs to come together, work to rebuild trust between the community and police and re-commit to making every neighborhood safer and stronger. "Mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot also released a statement Friday that expressed hope that the verdict represents a turning point for Chicago. "This is a significant milestone in Chicago's history. Going against a national trend in which juries almost always acquit on-duty police officers on criminal charges, this jury found the evidence powerful and compelling-as have so many Chicagoans in the years since Laquan McDonald's tragic death. I commend members of the jury for doing their civic duty in such a difficult environment," Lightfoot's statement read. "I hope that this decision marks not just a milestone, but a turning point as well. We must pray for Laquan McDonald and his family, and for all those in our city who have been affected by trauma and violence, and we must all work tirelessly to build a Chicago where all can find justice and peace. "Mayoral candidate Dr. Willie Wilson released a statement Friday that supported the jury's decision and called for any demonstrations to remain peaceful.First, my prayers go out to both the McDonald and Van Dyke families," Wilson said in his statement. "This is a tragedy. The McDonald family lost their young son, a brother and his potential snuffed out, never to be known. Justice has been served...Allow your voice to be heard. Express your opinion. Hold your protests. In it all, I call for EVERY action to be peaceful, respectful and non-violent expression. I call on law enforcement to show restraint, respect and not to show any forms of retaliation at this time. We need hope for our city and we need change. "In a statement, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said:In a statement, the Chicago Police Board said they stand ready to review the Van Dyke case when the stay on doing so has been lifted.<doc-sep>Tracy McCarthy, chief human resources officer at Loop-based mobile security company OneSpan, sent an email to Chicago employees Thursday as soon as she saw the jury had begun deliberating. She updated employees on the trial and let them know the company puts their safety first and that they should use discretion in coming to the office when the verdict comes down.<doc-sep>
Chicagoans watch TVs in Downtown Chicago as Officer Van Dyke is found guilty of 2nd degree murder. #VanDykeMurderTrial #Vandyke pic.twitter.com/ULJgb0fISg — Stacey Baca (@StaceyBacaABC7) October 5, 2018 Protesters gather outside City Hall after Officer Jason Van Dyke was found guilty of 2nd-degree murder. #VanDykeMurderTrial pic.twitter.com/25ylZPDCbX — Stacey Baca (@StaceyBacaABC7) October 5, 2018 Chicago Police on-duty at City Hall, where offices closed early today because of the 2nd-degree murder verdict in Officer Van Dyke’s trial. #VanDykeMurderTrial #Vandyke pic.twitter.com/mo6NQsrX0n — Stacey Baca (@StaceyBacaABC7) October 5, 2018 CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke was found guilty of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm in the shooting death of Laquan McDonald.After jurors said they had reached a verdict, around 12:45 p.m. Friday, many people working in Chicago's Loop were either told to go home or chose to leave early.Van Dyke was on trial for the 2014 murder of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. Dashcam video released in 2015 shows the white officer shot the black teen 16 times. Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder, police misconduct and 16 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm - one count for each shot. He was found not guilty of official misconduct.Protesters who were outside the Cook County courthouse at 26th and California said they planned to head to City Hall after the verdict was read. The demonstrations planned for the Loop had the potential to draw massive crowds.Ald. Ricardo Munoz (22nd Ward), told ABC7 Eyewitness News that he was in a meeting when news of the verdict broke, and they were told to leave. Only emergency personnel and security stayed behind.Munoz said in his 25 years as a Chicago alderman, this is the first time he's witnessed something like this. "Not in my 25 years. We've had these manifestations in jubilance - Hawks, Cubs, Sox, Wolves - but never with this sort of anger or potential for violence," Munoz said.Chicago police worked extended hours Friday, gearing up for any outcome. They gathered outside City HallDePaul University canceled classes at its downtown campus at 1:30 p.m., in advance of the verdict. The Lincoln Park campus remained open. Pepsi workers were sent home early. That building is located at 555 W. Monroe Street.Some buses in the Loop were packed to overflowing. People who were trying to board Metra trains at Union Station around midday said the trains were standing-room only and some people were not able to make their scheduled trips home.