CHICAGO, IL, May 23—Another pre-trial hearing was scheduled today at the Cook County courthouse for killer Chicago kkkop Jason Van Dyke, who is responsible for the murder of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald on October 20, 2014. Caught on dashboard camera, the 16 shots that Van Dyke pumped into Laquan’s body as he lay lifeless in the street was another stark reminder of the role the kkkops play in the defense of the racist capitalist system. The resultant cover-up by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and State Attorney Anita Alvarez further demonstrated the racism of the state, sparking mass outrage and militant fightback throughout the city and beyond. As Van Dyke’s lawyer baldly stated in court, the murder of Laquan was simply “business as usual.” (Chicago Tribune, 5/25)
Bosses’ Kkkourts Protect Killer Kkkops
The court showed its role in protecting the racism of the state when an observer in the courtroom was brought up on charges of contempt of court for his response to the racist proceedings. Despite already being indicted on first-degree murder charges, Van Dyke and his attorneys continue to postpone his trial by filing ridiculous motions attempting to have the murder indictment dismissed. During this hearing, the crowd was forced to listen to Van Dyke’s scumbag lawyer prattle on at length over all the reasons he was “justified” in his racist murder of a Black teenager.
The judge denied the motions to have the murder charges cleared. This outcome provoked excitement among many of the anti-racists in the room, including one anti-racist teacher, who snapped his fingers repeatedly in approval of the judge’s decision. “What is your purpose here, sir?!” the Cook County presiding judge barked at the teacher.
“To see a racist murderer go on trial,” the anti-racist defiantly responded, turning to face Van Dyke and his lawyers.
With this bold statement and a multi-racial crowd packing the courtroom, these antiracists and PLP helped send the message that racist kkkops and the capitalist state that protects them will never be tolerated as “business as usual.”
The judge and his bailiffs used the disruption as an excuse to set an extreme example of the bold anti-racist. The judge demanded that he be brought forward. In response to having his racist authority undermined by both the snapping and the teacher’s defiant response to his questioning, he had the man arrested for direct contempt of court with bail set at $40,000.
Once the initial shock passed, PLP comrades present wasted no time. Immediately after the hearing was over, we determined the identity of the man and began contacting community bond organizations, his family, and lawyers in order to have him released as soon as possible. He was out on bond that same evening. We commend this fighter for defying Van Dyke and the racist kkkourts and will stand in solidarity with him in any legal battles that lie ahead.
Not Just a Few Bad apples
Despite the presumed “victory” of the judge dismissing the motions to prevent Van Dyke from going to trial for murder, we communists will continue to stress the relationship of the cops, the courts, and the preservation of the murderous capitalist profit system. Even if the killer cop stands trial, even if he were to be found guilty by a jury (fat chance), the brutal system that breeds racist murderers like Van Dyke would still remain intact. Despite the gratification that would result from seeing a racist cop locked up, such a conclusion could lend itself to the false argument that “it’s only a few bad cops” and that the bosses’ justice system can be reformed to meet the needs of the working class.
The comrades here in Chicago will continue to challenge Van Dyke and the racist, sexist system that trained him, armed him with weapons, and unleashed him on our class. We will challenge them in the courtroom, in our neighborhoods, our workplaces, and our schools. We will march again on his very home in the Archer Heights neighborhood, as we did last summer, to remind everyone that there will be no refuge for racist murderers (See Challenge 7/16). With every action, every argument, every new comrade won to the Party, we will build the momentum and power to eventually bury the bosses once and for all with international communist revolution.