State Senator Toi Hutchinson released the following statement ahead of the verdict in the trial of Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke, who was charged with murder in the shooting death of Laquan McDonald:

"In thinking about the coming Laquan McDonald case verdict, we know that the fight for civil rights has a long and storied history.

"For those that weren’t directly part of the struggle, the memories of the pain, bloodshed, death and hope that a new day was coming have been sanitized by distance and time. But they are still etched in the souls of those who have died or lost loved ones to allow us to claim our space and continue the fight. 

"Remember that what we fight for has to be bigger and bolder than what we fight against. In light of all of our frustrations, we must move from being dissatisfied to being proactive. Register to vote and actually show up and do it. Find a non-profit directly engaging in the delivery of services that you are passionate about.
 
""Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod..." We sing, we march, we pray, and we gather because we know our work is not done. We know our voices matter, even when it appears that our very lives do not.

"In the coming days, the voices of the disenfranchised will be heard: “no justice no peace.” It is time for us to decide what piece we play in moving toward justice. Every single one of us. No matter what this verdict brings."