This article documents major tensions between the Arab-American community in Oak Lawn and police. Last July 17-year old Hadi Abuatelah was brutally beaten by police office Patrick O’Donnell. On video O’Donnell is seen punching Abuatelah more than ten times in the head while another two join in on the beating. The altercation ended with O’Donnell using his taser on Abuatelah. Oak Lawn police initially defended O’Donnell’s conduct, but are now facing increasing criticism by Arab-American activists. This incident underscores deeper tensions in Chicagoland, where 1 in 5 Arab-American survey respondents reported discrimination.
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