Family of man jailed in China calls for his release

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The family of a Chicago man held in a Chinese prison is calling for his release.

Ajamu Johnson's relatives and supporters staged a protest outside the Chinese consulate on Clark and Erie.

Johnson was teaching English in China when he got into a fight with another American.

That American was deported back to the U.S. while Johnson was sentenced to a year in prison.

His family says he was targeted and incarcerated because he's African-American.

The Chinese consulate did not return our calls for a comment.