The Latest: 3 arrested in Chicago Black Friday protests


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CHICAGO (AP) — The latest on the aftermath of the shooting of a black teenager by a white Chicago police officer (all times local):

7:30 p.m.

Chicago police say three people have been arrested during demonstration along the city's high-end shopping district on Black Friday to draw attention to the police shooting of a black teenager.

Several protesters were seen lying face-down on the ground in handcuffs. A police spokesman said three people were arrested, two traffic-related and a third related to a battery. He didn't give details.

Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said he believes the protests have gone "exceptionally well" in large part because his officers have gone out of their way to let demonstrators express their outrage. He says despite people screaming in their faces, getting hit with spittle and thrown objects, officers are acting in a professional manner.

The march is the latest demonstration in the city since Tuesday, when officials released a video that shows 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being shot 16 times and prosecutors charged Officer Jason Van Dyke with first-degree murder.

1:15 p.m.

Hundreds of protesters are blocking entrances to stores in Chicago's high-end shopping district on Black Friday to draw attention to the police shooting of a black teenager.

Some of the demonstrators linked arms to form human chains in front of main entrances to stores on both sides of Michigan Avenue for more than three blocks.

Store employees were directing shoppers to exit from side doors. When one person tried to get through the front door of Saks Fifth Avenue, protesters screamed at him, shouting, "Shut it down! Shut it down."

Entrances were also blocked at the Disney Store, the Apple Store, Nike, Tiffany & Co., and Neiman Marcus.

Many shoppers seemed to take the disturbance in stride. Some even snapped photos of the crowd.

The release of a video this week showing the fatal shooting in 2014 of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald has set off days of largely peaceful protests.

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12:30 p.m.

Not all of the groups taking part in the Black Friday protest in Chicago's ritziest shopping district are taking the same approach.

The largest is a peaceful group led by the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who is leading a prayer from the steps of Chicago's historic Water Tower. The group paused for a moment of silence to remember 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, who was shot 16 times by a Chicago police officer last year.

A smaller group, One Chicago, is calling on demonstrators to shut down businesses to protest the city's handling of the investigation. Mark Carter, a One Chicago organizer, is exhorting the crowd to, "Stop watching the show. Shut this down! Shut this down!"

Others are yelling at the police officers lining the route. The officers are not responding.

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11:45 a.m.

Hundreds of activists chanting "16 shots! 16 shots!" are stopping traffic as a march begins in Chicago's Magnificent Mile shopping district.

The demonstration Friday to protest a fatal shooting by police last year has so far been peaceful. A visitor from Fort Dodge, Iowa, 35-year-old Monica Rentz, was taking photos to send to friends as she stood outside her hotel on Michigan Avenue. Rentz says she is in the city for a wedding.

She says she shopped at the Disney Store before the march began and that the protesters don't bother her. She says it is interesting because she has never seen anything like this in Iowa.

The march is the latest demonstration in the city since Tuesday, when officials released a video that shows 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being shot 16 times and prosecutors charged Officer Jason Van Dyke with first-degree murder.

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11 a.m.

A protest march has begun in Chicago's shopping district, with the Rev. Jesse Jackson in the middle of a crowd that's shouting, "What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now!"

Several hundred demonstrators have gathered in the drizzling rain, many with umbrellas and plastic-wrapped signs.

Among them is 73-year-old Frank Chapman of Chicago, who says a video released Tuesday showing the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by police officer Jason Van Dyke confirms what activists have said for years about Chicago police brutality.

He says his organization, the Chicago Alliance Against Racism and Political Oppression, is pushing for an elected, civilian police accountability council.

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9:50 a.m.

An association representing hundreds of high-end retailers, hotels and restaurants in Chicago's Magnificent Mile district says it's confident authorities will maintain order for thousands of Black Friday shoppers as groups protest a 2014 police shooting.

The release of a video showing the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald has set off days of largely peaceful protests. Taking Friday's demonstrations to the city's main shopping area ensures high visibility.

John Curran is vice president of the Magnificent Mile Association, which represents 780 businesses on North Michigan Avenue. He says members always have robust public safety plans in place because of the area's high profile, its huge crowds and the urban setting.

And protests there are nothing new.

Some 20 million people visit each year. North Michigan Avenue is one of the largest shopping attractions in the Midwest and hosts many flagship stores, hotels and luxury brands.

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7:55 a.m.

The Chicago Teachers Union is encouraging its members to join a march in Chicago's shopping district to protest the fatal shooting of a black teenager by a white police officer.

CTU President Karen Lewis issued a statement urging members to express their "outrage and dignity" by participating in Friday's march on Michigan Avenue on a stretch called the Magnificent Mile.

The 11 a.m. demonstration will be the latest in the city since Tuesday, when officials released dashcam video that shows 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being shot 16 times and prosecutors charged Officer Jason Van Dyke with first-degree murder.

Chicago police say they are prepared to support a peaceful march and will be on hand to address traffic and public safety.

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12:30 a.m.

Protests over the videotaped fatal shooting of a black teenager by a white Chicago police officer are set to move to the heart of the city's famed retail district on the busiest shopping day of the year.

A protest march down part of Michigan Avenue called the Magnificent Mile is planned for Friday at 11 a.m. It is being organized by the Rev. Jesse Jackson and other local activists.

The march will be the latest demonstration in the city since Tuesday, when officials released dashcam video that shows 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being shot 16 times and prosecutors charged Officer Jason Van Dyke with first-degree murder.

The other demonstrations have been largely peaceful. On Thursday afternoon, police said they had made a total of just nine arrests.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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