Protesters rally after charges against Oak Lawn police officer are dropped by Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke

CHICAGO (WLS) — A group of individuals from the Arab community came together on Thursday morning outside the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office to express their dissatisfaction and anger regarding the decision to dismiss charges against a police officer from Oak Lawn who was accused of assaulting a 17-year-old during an arrest in 2022.

Over a dozen individuals voiced their disappointment with one of the initial actions taken by the newly inaugurated Cook County State’s Attorney, Eileen O’Neill Burke.

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“Let’s be clear…a grave injustice was committed by Eileen O’Neill Burke,” Muhammad of the Arab American Action Network said.

The controversy surrounds Burke’s decision on Wednesday to dismiss charges of aggravated battery and official misconduct against Patrick O’Donnell, a police officer from Oak Lawn, following the violent arrest in July 2022 of Hadi, who was 17 years old at the time.

Police dash cam video released by Oak Lawn police shows officers repeatedly beating the teen.

RELATED: Charges dropped against Oak Lawn police officer after violent arrest caught on video

Video also showed Abuatelah had taken off running from officers during a traffic stop and in his bag prosecutors said, he had a loaded handgun.

Abuatelah pleaded guilty to the gun charge.

“Demands…asking Kwame Raoul open investigation into racist practices of Oak Lawn Police Department,” Muhammad said.

The protest comes the day O’Donnell was supposed to plead his case before a Cook County judge. Now, the officer will not be prosecuted.

“This fight isn’t about one bad cop,” Nadiah Alyafai with the Arab American Action Network said. “It’s about an entire system of racist policing.”

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office did not comment on the protest Thursday but released a statement following the move to drop O’Donnell’s charges Wednesday, writing…”After a thorough review, we concluded that the evidence is insufficient to meet our burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt to move forward with the prosecution.”

Protestors are also calling for Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul to open an independent investigation into the Oak Lawn Police Department and for Burke to reinstate charges against O’Donnell.