"The crime that was committed against Hadi is the crime that we're saying needs to be prosecuted," said Muhammad Sankari of the Arab American Action Network.
[Ads /]
Police dashcam video shows the July 27 incident after officers pulled over a car the teen was in to investigate what they say was the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
SEE MORE: Oak Lawn police release dashcam video that shows officers hitting teen during arrest
Oak Lawn police release dashcam video of teen's violent arrest
That footage shows the teen running. Cellphone video of the arrest captured the teen on the ground as officers hit him multiple times. Oak Lawn police said their officers thought Abuatelah was reaching for a gun. Investigators said police found a weapon in a bag the teen had.
"This type of policing cannot be tolerated, cannot be accepted," said Rainbow Push Coalition National Field Director Bishop Tavis Grant.
Hadi was badly hurt during the arrest. His family said he spent four in the hospital with internal bleeding in his brain, numerous broken bones and bruising. He's now recovering at home.
[Ads /]
The teen has been charged as a juvenile with felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and resisting arrest.
RELATED: Charges filed against teen injured in violent arrest by Oak Lawn police
Oak Lawn police said they are cooperating with the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Taskforce investigation of the incident that was requested by the Cook County State's Attorney Office.
"The state's attorney needs to move against those officers because otherwise it will be left to the Illinois State Police to investigate, and that's the worm investigating it tail," said Joe Iosbaker of the Chicago Alliance Against Racists and Political Repression
Abuatelah's parents have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the unnamed officers.
The judge gave Hadi a 10 p.m. curfew. His next court date is Sept. 22.