(CHICAGO, IL, 02/14/2023) CAIR-Chicago, the Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, will hold a news conference welcoming the grand jury indictment of Oak Lawn Police Officer, Patrick O’Donnell, in the brutal beating of then 17-year-old Hadi Abuatelah in July 2022.  

In response to the indictment of the Oak Lawn Police Officer, the organization will be addressing the incident that left Abuatelah brutally beaten in July 2022 by three Oak Lawn police officers. The other two Officers, Carlson and Hollingsworth are presumed to still be under investigation by Illinois State Police’s Integrity Task Force. CAIR-Chicago continues to demand all officers involved are held accountable. 

WHAT: Press Conference Discussing Hadi Abuatelah Case  

WHERE: CAIR-Chicago Azima Center, 17 N State St. Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60602 

WHEN: Wednesday, February 15, 12 Noon  

WHO: CAIR-Chicago Staff, Arab American Action Network (AAAN), Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Representation (CAARPR), and the Rainbow Push Coalition 

SEE: PRESS RELEASE: CAIR-Chicago to Address Police Brutality of 17-Year-Old Bridgeview Minor 

In a statement, CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab said:  

“Three large adult men beating up on a submissive frail minor, punching his head and bashing it to the concrete is an injustice   and an affront by the standards of any time and age in human history. Even if these adult men are in uniform. Especially if they are in uniform. Yet these transgressions keep happening in America. And they will never stop without due accountability. Indictments are a first step; we thank the state attorney’s office for doing their part. The process starts, not ends here.” 

SEE: MEDIA ROUND-UP: CAIR-Chicago to Address Police Brutality of 17-Year-Old Bridgeview Teen 

“This is a step in the right direction,” states Emma Melton, Staff Attorney at CAIR-Chicago. “We celebrate this win but continue to demand all officers involved are held accountable.” 

SEE: Updated Complaint Against Officers, Police Chief, and the Village of Oak Lawn  

"We are happy to hear Officer Patrick O’Donnell has finally been indicted for his heinous actions against Hadi. We hope this is one of many steps towards achieving justice for the irreversible harm they have caused Hadi and his family,” states Zaid Abdallah Partner at Abdallah Law and counsel for Abuatelah. “We also hope this does not stop here. We hope that their indictment leads to a conviction. We will keep fighting for justice for Hadi!” 

CAIR-Chicago is the Chicago Chapter of America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Our mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote tolerance. 

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CONTACT: CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com; CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator Erin Davis, 773-802-8786, epdavis@cair.com.