The family of slain teen Laquan McDonald is calling for a "federal summit on violence" during their first public remarks since a Chicago police officer's grisly killing of the youth.

"He was a big boy, but he was a teddy bear," McDonald's great uncle, the Rev. Marvin Hunter, told supporters gathered for a press conference on Friday, according to Yahoo. He later added he wished people would recognize that "dreads don't mean dreadful."

Seventeen-year-old McDonald was gunned down on a city street in October of 2014, where officer Jason Van Dyke pumped 16 bullets into the teen, who video shows was holding a knife but appeared to pose no direct threat to the officer.

Footage from the killing was released two weeks ago, setting off protests across the city and creating the climate for Van Dyke's eventual arrest on first-degree murder. Demonstrators have also loudly called for the resignations of Mayor Rahm Emanuel and State's Attorney Anita Alvarez. Emanuel has already removed Garry McCarthy as the city's chief of police.

On Friday, Hunter recalled his nephew as a "jokester," who always greeted family and friends with a huge hug.

Not long after his killing, city officials negotiated a $5 million settlement with McDonald's family. During his press conference, Hunter hinted that's not nearly enough. He called on the government to invest more resources in urban communities for economic development. Hunter also told the crowd he believes there are "thousands of Laquan McDonalds." Hunter added the family remains traumatized by the events, and his mother did not attend Friday's event because she is too hurt by the "constant reminder of the senseless death of her son."

Meanwhile, protestors are also calling on the city to release video from the January 2013 killing of 17-year-old teen Cedrick Chatman. Officers contend they thought the teen was reaching for a gun that proved to be a smartphone box.

The city is fighting the release of that video, arguing that it could prejudice would-be jurors if the case goes to trial.