Jussie Smollett case leads to protests for, against Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx
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
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
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
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.
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?
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: 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: 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: Cook Co. State's Attorney Kim Foxx recuses herself from Jussie Smollett investigation
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: 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
