Rev. Al Sharpton and Nicole Paultre Bell (fiance of Sean Bell) were among approximately 200 people who were arrested Wednesday as demonstrators blocked traffic during New York’s evening rush hour to protest the acquittals of three detectives in the 50-bullet shooting of unarmed Bell on his wedding day.
Also arrested were Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield – two survivors from the shooting incident. CNN reported:
Police estimated that about 190 people were arrested, including Sharpton, two survivors of the shooting and the slain man’s fiancee. They lined up and put their hands behind their backs as police arrested them on disorderly conduct charges.
Sharpton, the two survivors and the fiancee were released about four hours later, said Sharpton spokeswoman Rachel Noerdlinger.
The demonstrators prayed, sang and chanted slogans including “no justice, no peace” as they converged on six heavily used bridges and tunnels that carry traffic to and from Manhattan. The protests were part of a coordinated campaign to urge federal authorities to investigate the shooting of Sean Bell in November 2006.
Some of ya’ll sound real stupid! So what Sean Bell was not a saint, he did nothing to be shot 51 times. I am from CA I wish I could have been there keep up the good work NY.
People keep mentioning Tawanna Brawley and must not realize that the whole case went to boo in a basket when the DA had evidence DISAPPEAR!!! This fact was showcased for 3days in the news, and then what, I believe one of the cops committed suicide because other dirt was surfacing. I pray that Rev. Al remain faithful–Lord knows that He could use more soldiers.
get facts right he was not shot 51 times. He was shot AT 51 times
This protest took place right outside my school when I was in class taking my finals–I didnt even know!I havent been catching up with the news latley because of finals, but I was in class and I heard a big commotion outside and saw an army of policemen out there…I just hope the family get the justice that they deserve.
Some of Y’all make me want to HOLLER!!!!!!
First off, we have a JUSTICE SYSTEM people!!!! You are innocent until proven guilty by a judge or jury of your peers. You have a right to a speedy trial. You have the right to council. These are the inalienable rights of American Citizens. No matter how strongly we may feel about guilt or innocence, no one has the right to arbitrarily take these rights away- POLICE OFFICER or CIVILIAN. This is not the G@D D#$M Wild WEST where you have folks acting as judge, jury, AND Executioner.
For real, for everybody who’s so critical of Rev. Sharpton, ask yourself this- What have YOU done for the struggle? What sacrifices are you willing to make? Are you ready to lay down your life for your people-including the ones who don’t appreciate you? I’m from NY and have had the chance to witness the work Rev Sharpton has done to bring about justice. I’ve witnessed the personal sacrifices he’s had to make (getting stabbed inthe chest marching for Yusef Hawkings, Enduring a hunger strike in response to unjust bombing effecting the people of Viekes(sp?) Puerto Rico, multiple arrests, constant death threats, the dissolution of his marriage, etc. just to name a few. We need people like him b/c if you wait for the media or whoever to bring attention to these violations of civil rights, it wouldn’t happen. Hell the only reason why these issues are exposed and go to trial is because of necessary social aggitators like Sharpton.
Oh yeah, and I could give a damn about folks being inconvenienced (via the traffic being held up-boo-effing-hoo). You can’t have a revolution of ideas and principles sitting comfortably on your behind, sipping on an Evian. What a slap in the face to Rosa Parks, and all those who marched to and from work for 381 days in Montgomery and Selma where they were attacked by dogs and water hoses.
@65
AMEN
AMEN
AMEN
*CLAPPING*
@50 that was dumb random. i live here in nyc.
yes i feel rev. al has motives but right is right and wrong is wrong 50 times hell no! as for a riot stupid ! tell me what tearing up ya own shi* does? this is a race thing in away because if he had been white the black cops would be hung. plus cops here covers there ass like mafia.
Amen #65
@ # 63 JA
The point is his background did not justify being shot at 51 times. I refuse to argue with you everyday you make some stupid comments and it’s a waste of time to debate with you.
Have a nice day.
just like I thought. We’ ll justify anything. Let’s not forget the reason why the police were in that neigborhoodin the first place. Were is Al sharpton when little kids cant even play out side. Looking for the cameras. It falls back on us as parents and black people, to keep our streets safe, keep our kids off the streets. Most of us dont even know where our kids are half the time but soon as the police get em we want to march and act like we doing the best we can.
Ooohhhhh. Carrying signs, marching, praying, and being arrested. Meekly bow your head, turn around, and put your hands behind your back. Is that how blacks are going to start the race war, the new revolution? L O L.
Please keep following Rev. Sharpton, black folks. Don’t ever question what he does or what he says; just nod your heads and follow him.
At 65
Oh God This has nothing to do with Rosa Parks or Civil Rights. By struggle are you talking about the hundreds of black officers that risk the life everyday going into neigborhoods that have no respect for the laws of the city because we as a people became barriers between to crminal and the police. Maybe you mean the struggle of parents who spend their last dollar on rent and not strippers. Real injustice is when we as parents dont prepare our kids for a world that is already against them (black, white or whatever) What dose shutting down New York have to do with justice. For the one officer who shot 31 times ( black) shame on him, he’s not a police officer anymore, he has to look over his shoulder for the rest of his life, and God will deal. And on I do not and will not support any protest, wear any color shirts, or anything of the sort in this case. Call me when the protest of drug dealing starts, equilty of teacher dispersments in schools, and raising attendance in HBCU. Not going to jail for nothing less
This past semester I took a course called “Black Power” and it was all about SNCC. My professor was a member of SNCC and a former Black Panther member. Hearing about these arrests reminds me of the time when students were protesting and getting arrested the problem with this is that these arrests were happening in the 60′s and it is now 2008.This is so crazy!
Just to clarify, I’m not saying his background means he should be shot. But I am saying it makes this less of a tragedy in that he played a role in his own demise. In other words, he was not a helpless victim. Further, when the Cops tell me to freeze and put my hands up, I typically do not hit the gas and drive my car right at them. That’s not the proper response and was ultimately the decision that cost him his life. As usual Rev. Al’s willingness to jump to the forefront of every cause, worthy or not, diminishes his credibility and prevents him from getting anything accomplished when a real tragedy occurs.
Major propz to the Rev… Seems like the only one who is stepping up
As a black woman I am so proud to see that we as a people has come as far as we have. We are now running for President of that U.S.A., and we band together when times gets hard. Despite all the rude comments and disrespect that we endure on an everyday basis… we stand strong. I think it is amazing what is being done on behalf of Sean Bell, blacks need to speak up, and stop turning our backs to the unjust activities of the “justice system”. We arn’t acting like fools rioting and tearing the city up, blacks are acting peacfully, standing for what they believe in and making their voices heard, and with that we are sending a message and fear to America… we are coming up.. even if we don’t see a change in our generation, I am at peace knowing that hopefully a change will be made in the world my future children will live in.
We are comming up!
@ 74 You maybe right I mean its hard enough driving while black…we shouldn’t give them anymore cause to want to shoot at us BUT then again there have been cases where the hands were up and there was no movement and yet there were still shots fired upon an unarmed Black man. This isn’t a cut and dry case by no means…it never ends but to tell me 50 shots was justified is quite frankly ridiculous in every sense of the word.
For the people on here with the ignorant comments basically saying he had this coming because he had a record and sold drugs or whatever. I am sure there are people who have done far worst but guess what…they are in jail-some awaiting death on deathrow or will never see the light of day again. They were at least given the change to say their word-even if it was the dumbness defense in history. They lived to say their piece. That policeman that took it upon himself to fire 31 shots, along with the others, didn’t give Sean that chance. Someone posted that that particular cop isn’t a cop anymore. Black, white or whatever-he shouldn’t have his freedom either. He isn’t a cop but children don’t have a father, a woman doesn’t have a husband, a mother and father don’t have their son…and so forth. Maybe Sean would have been found guilty of whatever and sent to jail, at least he would have been alive. No he wouldn’t been able to serve his duties as an active father and husband but there would be a chance for him to explain, to tell his children that he made a big mistake and they should learn from his mistakes. If he had a gun, knife, rock…weapon of any kind…the cops would have reason to shoot-not necessarily saying 50 rounds though. My point is Sean may not have been the most “stand-up” person and may have done wrong that night…but he didn’t deserve to go out like that–50 shots is a lot. I agree that cops should all means protect themselves because they have families too that they want to go home to. But when you decide to take on that job(which i am grateful for the honest ones), you have to KNOW your jobs, your role, how to analyze situations, and people, know that you can’t involve your personal feelings and beliefs–the judical system is in place to punish accordingly. For that reason and others, I couldn’t do the job but for those who took that oath and felt like they could…you have to always remember these things–otherwise…things like this will ALWAYS happen. All cops, black people, white people, judges, civil rights leaders, etc are the same. There are bad and good in each bunch. I pray there is justice for all who were wronged in this case and others.
I’m so proud of the demonstrators, standing up for what they believe in. However IT’S A SAD DAY WHEN WE HAVE TO USE CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE TO EARN OUR CIVIL RIGHTS IN 2008!!!!! Stay strong Nicole………….
190 people arrested. We ought to protest! Dr. King wouldn’t let us stand for this guys. Back in the day, it would have been us — YOUNG PEOPLE — who would have protested. But to think, the wife of the man who was shot unjustly – arrested for protesting her fiance’s death!
sick.
right DOC best comment all day
Is dat a machine-gun with an air whole barrel at the bottom of the second photo pointing directly at AL’s head?
I would’ve went to JAIL too! I watched the verdict on TV and I was so mad I wanted to break up my own SH**T in the house and I don’t even know these folx! Justice is a wicked thing in AMERICA! My prayers go out to the family because this was indeed BLIND JUSTICE!
This is going o be a long long road, may God grant Nicole the strength to never give up! The “justice” system in Amerikkka is a disgrace!!!!
Am i the only one that is noticing that they are calling her Mrs.Bell? That’s becoming annoying.If he was a crack dealer (AND I”M NOT SURE THAT HE WAS) then I don’t mourn his death at all. Yeah I said it and if it’s true then I mean it.
@Doc – That is the most honest, truthful and powerful statement that I have heard in a loooong time. I feel the same way! Thanks!
http://www.jhazzaisworld@wordpress.com
@i’m gonna tell da truth
You should go google him. He did sell drugs to his community. He was arrested twice for posession of drugs and once for carrying a fire arm. He was released by police. Can find if convited, though so reports say he was. The two other victims/ crimnals were convicted drug drug dealers and had did time for there offences. That is not to slander only facts. She can not be legally called Mrs. Bell because it would imply that she were married to Sean Bell, which she was not. No Post mortuary cert could be issued because they never applied for the married license.
@ # 87. JA
So what you are saying is because he had a record he deserved what he got? You sound stupid!
@ # 74. DOC
I get your point, but the problem is the police said they didn’t identify themselves because they were undercover so when Sean Bell and friends seen men in plain clothes running towards them pointing a gun they did what any normal person would do which is run.
@ 88
The point of the matter is, You live your life in the streets you get what the street gives you. The police testified they identified themsevles. The opt for a brench trial under their constutional rights. They put their lives in the hands of one man. Ask yourself why Al Sharpton is protesting the trial and everything else expect the judge?
Because the judge in this case has ruled on matters just like these for years, never favoring a race, but evidence. That’s way the fam did protest because he had ruled against police officers before they thought that he would just crumble to media power. Problem is that the DA brought two drug dealers in and both admitted that Bell hit one of the police officers, then they went on to say no one said stop police They could get anything else in the story right but they remember no one said police. Now in your right this is know when every under cover cops yell police evrybody runs, and state ” I didnt Hear Him”. The defence brought police officers and tax paying citizens. They all said they did say it. Now you have to ask yourself with common sense do I belive the drug dealers, the cops. If you say drug dealers on face value then you are talk with your emotions. The public was not present with the whole fact in the case. Cause true of the matter is no one cares if a drug dealer gets shot 13 even 50 times. That proven because it happen all the time with little to no fanfare. So we have to turn the story to make it fit. We have to say oh he was turning his life around, or he was getting married. When his babymamma went to court to try to prove this they or didn’t have any paper work or proof to the fact. So that takes away from the cred of why he was there in a known drug and hooker infested club in the first place. The judge said that both parties had holes in their story but the police side seem to be more complete. That is a honest ruling and fair if I ever hear one.
To prove my point on the drug dealer thing, I have to retract on of my post. In a way this is like the start of the civil rights. Many people dont know who Claudette Colvin is. She was arrested for not giving up her seat before Rosa Parks and it was not stage. She was pregnant by a married man, 15, and black as in dark skin. E.D. Nixon ( Al Sharpton 1955) decides that she not right for the movement. He decides to stage a a mock with Rosa Park, Fair skin, married, voting, educated black person, Now was Colvin less deserving of a seat on the bus, no, but street elements kept her out of history. She did a brave thing at 15. This set the pattern in obtaining right for blacks.
I hate to be the one who says it but its not 1955 anymore. Black people have come for in the area of right and equity. But we don t want to admit it. If we want to be equal start acting equal and not beaneth anyone. DO any of you understand that Al Sharpton make a living ( and a very good one at that) on finding injustice in anything. Your favor rapper and singers are making their living ( and a very good one) on turning you daugthers into strippers and you sons into drug dealer. These are the people who we listen to when we go to vote. Who’s Colin Powell voting for, who’s Condi voting for, These are people who got to the top with out shaking their ass or selling keys. The same people who paised the Clinton’s on the family life are telling the black communtiy that they hate black people. lets not for get Jessie jackson was one of bill’s top advisers. How soon we forget. Yes Bill clinton dressed up in a white sheet, but we knew that his first term.
In closing we can come together and make Obama, we can shut down wallstreet, but we can t combat crime and drug in our own neigorhoods and get enraged when someone does it for us
. The end.