Early in the protest local media outnumbered protesters, but about 50 people gathered around Justus Howell’s mother about 3:15 p.m. The protesters began to march near the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan with signs reading “Stop police murder” and “Justice for Justus” and “White silence is violence.”
A few protester were yelling at media as the protest march began — apparently critical of coverage of the Justus Howell case.
Some protesters sat down on Sheridan Road in Waukegan. Police from Waukegan, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Illinois State Police were standing by at the protest.
“They gunned my son down. One of my worst fears was confirmed when I heard there would be no justice,” an emotional LaToya Howell said after the announcement Thursday by Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim that the shooting of her 17-year-old son in Zion was justified.
A surveillance video released by Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim showed Zion police chasing and shooting Justus Howell on April 4.
Chicago Sun-Times Published … SURVEILLANCE VIDEO
The Lake County Courthouse and Administrative Complex at the corner of Washington Street and County Street closed at 1 p.m. because of the planned march.
Dozens protest prosecutor's police shooting of #JustusHowell decision in Waukegan: http://t.co/I4G7vkJQEn pic.twitter.com/SKZ9A22EQt
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) May 15, 2015
Protest is stopping traffic on Sheridan Road in Waukegan #JustusHowell pic.twitter.com/WkKaj92LJn
— Melissa Silverberg (@m_silverberg) May 15, 2015
Mother of 17yo Justus Howell denouncing lack of charges against Zion PD officer who shot him April 4 pic.twitter.com/hABHc0r7ew
— Ravi Baichwal (@BaichwalABC7) May 15, 2015
Led by #JustusHowell's mom, LaToya, 30 protestors sit and block traffic on Sheridan Road http://t.co/MwVzE9X9zD pic.twitter.com/liGlbQ3cQn
— Charles Z. Berman (@ChuckerB) May 15, 2015