Anita Alvarez
Two prosecutors criticized for mishandling cases of police violence against Black youth in Chicago and Cleveland lost primary battles in their counties Tuesday night.
Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez was defeated in Tuesday night's primary by Democratic challenger Kim Foxx, amid criticism of the incumbent's mishandling of the Laquan McDonald case. McDonald's death sparked a national outcry after video surfaced last November showing police officer Jason Van Dyke shooting the teen 16 times in less than 30 seconds as McDonald faced away.
"I have been criticized that I wasn't a very good politician, and that's probably right, and that's probably why I stand before you tonight," Alvarez
said Tuesday during her concession speech. "But I am very damn proud of the fact that I am a good prosecutor, I have been."
Many, however,
argue that Alvarez helped Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
cover up the death of McDonald. Although the state's attorney did eventually
charge Van Dyke with murder after a judge ordered video of McDonald's shooting to be released, that was
400 days following the teen's death.
Comment: Regardless of their relationship, no child deserves to be treated like that. Unfortunately, it's likely that his position as an officer will be 'taken into consideration' throughout this process and that he'll receive special treatment because of it.