Jussie Smollett case leads to protests for, against Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx

ByDiane Pathieu, Leah Hope, Eric Horng WLS logo
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Jussie Smollett case leads to protests for, against Kim Foxx
Jussie Smollett case leads to protests for, against Kim FoxxTwo groups who have opposing views about the prosecutor's office decision to drop charges against actor Jussie Smollett held dueling rallies in Chicago.

CHICAGO -- Two passionate groups gathered outside the county building Monday morning, opposed in their response to the dismissal of 16 felony charges against "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett.

One group wants Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx out of a job, based on how her office handled the Smollett case. The other supports her.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church and local activists rallied for Foxx earlier Monday at the Chicago Temple.

Chris Rock rips an absent Jussie Smollett at the NAACP Image Awards

Jackson said he stands by Foxx and her decision to dismiss the charges, calling the attacks against Foxx "unreasonable, unjustified and politically motivated." Jackson said Foxx did the legal and right thing in recusing herself from the case.

WATCH: Kim Foxx writes Chicago Tribune op-ed

In a Chicago Tribune op-ed, Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx said that her office did not have enough evidence to convict Jussie Smollett, despite what she earlier told ABC7.

Jackson calls the outrage over Smollett misplaced and out of proportion, and claimed first-time offenders in Cook County often have their class 4 felony cases dismissed.

"The attack on Kim Foxx is not about Jussie. Rather, it's an excuse to try to remove a strong black woman who comes in the office of state's attorney to reform it," Pfleger said.

The group supporting Kim Foxx called for an apology from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel over the Laquan McDonald killing, saying he should have had as much passion about that case as he does over the Smollett case. McDonald was a 17-year-old black teen who was shot 16 times by Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke in 2014.

WATCH: Emanuel speaks on what he believes Smollett owes Chicago

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said the city is calculating how much it cost to investigate Jussie Smollett's case and will be sending the actor the bill.

The rally led by Jackson, and another held by groups including Black Lives Matter outside the Cook County Office Building, were organized in reaction to one planned by the Fraternal Order of Police.

Representatives of Chicago's police union said Monday that Foxx must go, and that dropping the charges was wrong. They said they believe the actor staged a hoax and owes the city money for the high-profile investigation.

"We extended a lot of manpower and we've done a lot of work to make sure that this case was brought to trial, and it wasn't. These police officers, I believe it cost us $130,000 in overtime? That's a lot of money to just throw away," said Kevin Graham, FOP president.

RELATED: I-TEAM: What's inside CPD's Jussie Smollett investigative file?

Smollett's attorney Mark Geragos said it was prosecutors who proposed a deal to drop the charges and do away with the case against Smollett.

"So all I know is, they approached us about dismissing it, and not the other way around," Geragos said.

WATCH: Kim Foxx defends office's decision in Jussie Smollett case

Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx defended her office's decision to drop charges against "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett.

Foxx stands by the decision to drop the 16 count indictment against the "Empire" actor saying she was not certain she could get a conviction.

She recused herself from the case early in the investigation. The dismissal of charges against Smollett has divided the prosecutor's office and city officials.

Emanuel has publicly stated that he believes the actor staged a hoax and owes the city money for the high-profile investigation.

Superintendent Eddie Johnson joins ABC7 to talk about the Jussie Smollett case and crime stats.

Monday morning, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson talked bout the handling of the Smollett case.

"Our job is to present them with the evidence. Their job is to prosecute it the way they deem appropriate. We don't always agree, but that's the judicial system that we have and I honor that," Johnson said.

Johnson said he and Foxx talk all the time.

"Our relationship is kind of like a marriage," he said. "We have the same goal, but we don't always agree."

Previous coverage:

Chris Rock rips an absent Jussie Smollett at the NAACP Image Awards

Jussie Smollett update: What's inside the CPD investigative file?

Jussie Smollett update: FBI reviewing circumstances of Jussie Smollett's charges being dropped, sources confirm

Jussie Smollett update: Charges against 'Empire' actor dropped; 'not an exoneration,' prosecutor says

RELATED: Mayor Emanuel calls decision to drop charges against Smollett 'whitewash of justice'

RELATED: Charges dropped against 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett

RELATED: Osundairo brother at center of Jussie Smollett case compete in Chicago boxing match

RELATED: Jussie Smollett update: 'Pain and anger' around 'Empire' in recent weeks, Lee Daniels says

RELATED: FOP accuses Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx of interfering in Jussie Smollett investigation

RELATED: Jussie Smollett pleads not guilty to disorderly conduct charges

RELATED: Jussie Smollett update: Texts shed light on why State's Attorney Kim Foxx recused herself

RELATED: Jussie Smollett appears in court for hearing; Cameras allowed for Thursday hearing

RELATED: Jussie Smollett update: Brothers 'taken advantage of' by Smollett, attorney says

RELATED: Jussie Smollett indicted on 16 felony counts by grand jury

RELATED: Brothers reportedly involved in Jussie Smollett alleged hoax release statement expressing 'regret'

RELATED: Jussie Smollett's check to brothers obtained by ABC News

RELATED: Jussie Smollett's character to be removed from 'Empire', producers say

RELATED: What's next for Jussie Smollett? Possible big police bill

RELATED: Jussie Smollett alleged hoax may cast doubt on real hate crimes, advocates fear

RELATED: Jussie Smollett out on bond after being accused of staging attack

RELATED: Jussie Smollett charged with disorderly conduct for filing false police report, prosecutors say

RELATED: Cook Co. State's Attorney Kim Foxx recuses herself from Jussie Smollett investigation

RELATED: Brothers told police Smollett was upset threatening letter didn't get enough attention, staged attack

RELATED: Activist calls for Smollett's arrest, believes actor lied about attack

RELATED: Brothers tell police that Jussie Smollett paid them to stage attack, official says

RELATED: Sources: Police investigating whether Smollett staged attack with help of others

RELATED: Timeline of key moments in alleged attack on Jussie Smollett

RELATED: Jussie Smollett breaks silence on Chicago attack

RELATED: 'Empire' actor's family releases statement on attack, pictures of possible persons of interest released

RELATED: Photos show potential persons of interest in 'Empire' actor attack, police say

RELATED: 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett attacked in Chicago in possible hate crime, police say

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