Protesters Call On CTA Union Members To Stop Service If Former CPD Officer Jason Van Dyke Is Released From Prison

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Activists are calling the upcoming release of Jacon Van Dyke from prison a slap in the face.

In October 2018, Van Dyke was convicted of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery in the 2014 death of Laquan McDonald. Three months later, he was sentenced to almost seven years in prison.

"If Jason Van Dyke is released, it will set us back years, upon years, upon years of all the work that we have done. It will be for naught," said community activist William Calloway.

Saturday demonstrators at the 95th Street L Station called on CTA union members to stop service is Van Dyke is released.

The former CPD officer is scheduled to get out of prison on Feb. 3 after serving just over three years for the killing of McDonald.

In 2019, Van Dyke was moved to a state prison in Maryland. It was not immediately clear where he was being held as of Friday.

Activists want the U.S. Attorney to file federal charges against Van Dyke to keep him in prison.