In reaction to the 2008 acquittal of three police officers in the killing of Sean Bell in 2006, a group of New York City community artists, poets and activists organized an event called "50 Artists, 50 Shots: We Are All Sean Bell." The event featured poets, spoken word performers, musicians, painters, dancers, photographers etc., who each agreed to take one bullet for the 50 that were fired at Sean Bell and his friends, and transform each bullet into their art in order to honor his memory, and to express rage and grief for the decision to let the officers free.
The intention of this event was to have an open and safe space for New Yorkers to fully express themselves about the outcome of the Sean Bell case- to educate, to learn, to mourn, to grow, and to have honest dialogues. But most of all, to give inspiration for everyone to take action that would result in a real change in how police officers are trained, so that they can learn to respond to certain situations in a less aggressive and careless manner.
This video has been uploaded three weeks after Oscar Grant was unjustly killed in Oakland by a police officer who shot him at point blank range early on New Year's Day, 2009. Police brutality continues to plague our communities. How can we, as civilians, organize to help make fundamental, systematic changes to stop these tragedies from happening?In reaction to the 2008 acquittal of three police officers in the killing of Sean Bell... more
This first episode of season two of my news show takes a look (and pokes a bit of fun) at Hillary Clinton, Paula Abdul, police tactics and small dogs.This first episode of season two of my news show takes a look (and pokes a bit of fun)... more
The Rev. Al Sharpton made good on his promise of civil disobedience and a vow to “shut this city down” in response to the acquittal of three New York police officers in the shooting death of Sean Bell by leading a protest in rush hour traffic yesterday.
The Rev Al Sharpton was one of many arrested in NYC today when he and a multitude of others protested the verdict in the Sean Bell case. Good for you Al. F the police.
...
"Several hundred protesters briefly shut down traffic at entrances to the Queensboro Bridge, the Triborough Bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge and the Holland Tunnel and Queens-Midtown Tunnel this afternoon as part of a coordinated series of protests over the acquittal of three New York City police detectives in the fatal shooting of Sean Bell in 2006.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, who coordinated the protests, was among dozens and perhaps hundreds of people who were arrested by the police — nearly all of them in an orderly fashion — for blocking traffic. The protesters expressed outrage over a Queens judge’s decision on April 25 to acquit the three detectives — Michael Oliver, Gescard F. Isnora and Marc Cooper — over the November 2006 death of Mr. Bell, who died in a hail of police bullets outside a nightclub in Jamaica, Queens, hours before he was to have been married.
Mr. Sharpton and his National Action Network coordinated the protests, which were to include five locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, as well as protests in Chicago and Atlanta." NYT The Rev Al Sharpton was one of many arrested in NYC today when he and a multitude of... more
Protesters angry at the not-guilty verdicts received by police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Sean Bell have blocked streets and bridges throughout New York City. Dozens of demonstrators have been arrested, including the Reverend Al Sharpton, who organized the protest.
"Today we want motorists to think about how three people were shot 50 times by officers," said Rev. Sharpton.Protesters angry at the not-guilty verdicts received by police officers involved in... more
New York City reacts to the four police officers responsible for murder of the unarmed Sean Bell: found not guilty.New York City reacts to the four police officers responsible for murder of the unarmed... more
Following his recent release responding to the Sean Bell verdict, "911 Is A Joke", The Game gave an exclusive reflection on what the acquittal means to America, the logic behind the decision, and how far he plans on taking his freedom of speech right.
1st edit of "We are all Sean Bell"...The peoples reaction to the Sean Bell trial verdict. All power to the people...for more info go to www.justiceforsean.net , www.october22-ny.org www.criticalresistence.org , www.nationalactionnetwork.net1st edit of "We are all Sean Bell"...The peoples reaction to the Sean Bell trial... more
Hundreds of angry people marched through Harlem on Saturday after the Rev. Al Sharpton promised to "close this city down" to protest the acquittals of three police detectives in the 50-shot barrage that killed a groom on his wedding day and wounded two friends...Hundreds of angry people marched through Harlem on Saturday after the Rev. Al Sharpton... more
Following yesterday’s acquittal of three New York City police detectives for the November 2006 shooting death of an unarmed citizen, Sean Bell [click to read], many in the Hip Hop community have expressed their outrage over a judge’s decision to let the officers go free for their roles in collectively firing 50 rounds at Bell and two of his friends following a bachelor party on the eve of his wedding day.
The morning of April 25, 2008 was one that should have awakened the senses of America – in particular the products of Hip Hop culture. The similarities of this day and April 29th 1992 should draw instant comparisons - if it wasn’t for our lack of memory. Back in 1992, the acquittal of four police officers who were caught on video beating down Rodney King incited a community into acts of rage and violence.
The cops were caught red handed and the evidence seemed to make this an open and shut case. But once our wonderful judicial system inserted their influence, those four boys in blue walked away. The aftermath would go down in infamy as one of the most disturbing scenes in recent memory. Although I don’t condone violence, I understand the civil unrest and ire birthed from this.
Fast forward nearly sixteen years to the day. This time, three officers (out of five involved) were acquitted of all charges after firing 50 shots at Sean Bell as he left a strip club a day before his wedding back on November 26th 2006. The cops thought he had a gun, which somehow justifies 50 shots being fired at one person. One cop fired 31 shots himself - which takes 12.3 seconds and 1 reload to get the job done. It takes one bullet to incapacitate a man. 50 bullets would be easily described as overkill – no matter how “in the wrong” an individual is. Did I mention that Bell was unarmed and approached by plain clothes officers? Two of which were black but I digress…
Surely, upon hearing that these three cops were “not guilty” the community would be outraged. Not to say they weren’t, but this pales in comparison to the scene back in 1992. Rodney King got beatdown, Sean Bell got murdered. “Who’s going to speak on our behalf,” I questioned as I scanned the news to find one black face. And there he is…
Barack Hussein Obama Jr
As I stare at my television, I wait for Obama to say something profound about the Sean Bell case while he is in the midst of delivering yet another round of gas/war/food rhetoric to the public. Someone finally asks about the Sean Bell case. You know what that is kids?
Catch 22: Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
I’ll explain later.
Obama stammers a bit before being as vague as humanly possible in regards to how he feels when cops who shower an unarmed man with 50 bullets are acquitted of all charges. He basically sums it up to “taking precautionary measures to ensure these things don’t happen again,” followed by something to the effect that we must “respect that judgment and not react.” What the hell does that mean?
See, I’m not questioning Barack Obama’s blackness. I’m not likening him to any black man who cares more about the mighty dollar than our community. I’m questioning what Barack Obama can and can’t actually do in the oval office. He's a politician and has to play the game of a politician. When situations like this arise, I would love to see Obama with eyes of fire. I would love to see him make a joke out of our flawed judicial system. I would be elated to see him articulate the black struggle to the American people in a manner that is not as threatening as it is educational. I would love to see a black man who genuinely is hurt by how society treats minorities, stand up on national television and in so many words say “fuck that shit! That shit ain’t right!” (devoid of the curse words but filled with the same passion of course).
Obama can’t and will never ever be able to do that as president of this country. But I will still vote for him with the understanding that his contributions during his first four years are more inspirational to minorities than tangible.
A judge acquitted three New York Police Department detectives of all charges Friday morning in the shooting death of an unarmed man in a 50-bullet barrage, hours before he was to be married.
Detectives Michael Oliver and Gescard Isnora were found not guilty of charges of manslaughter, assault and reckless endangerment in the death of Sean Bell, 23, and the wounding of two of his friends.
Detective Marc Cooper was acquitted of reckless endangerment. A judge acquitted three New York Police Department detectives of all charges Friday... more
Hundreds of angry people marched through Harlem streets on Saturday after the Rev. Al Sharpton promised to "close this city down" to protest the acquittals of three police detectives in the 50-shot killing of a groom on his wedding day.
"We strategically know how to stop the city so people stand still and realize that you do not have the right to shoot down unarmed, innocent civilians," Sharpton told several hundred people who packed the street-front hall of his National Action Network office. "This city is going to deal with the blood of Sean Bell."Hundreds of angry people marched through Harlem streets on Saturday after the Rev. Al... more
VC2 producer Derek Koen explores the issue of police violence against unarmed black males, focusing specifically on the deaths of Amadou Diallo and Timmothy Thomas.VC2 producer Derek Koen explores the issue of police violence against unarmed black... more
The detectives were found not guilty on all felony and misdemeanor charges in the November 2006 death of Sean Bell, who died in a hail of 50 police bullets outside a club in Queens.
The NYT's is doing a an hourly blog gauging the respsonse of New Yorkers. Al Sharpton is calling for peaceful protests.
Justice Arthur J. Cooperman, who delivered the verdict in State Supreme Court, said many of the prosecution’s witnesses, including Mr. Bell’s friends and the two wounded victims, were simply not believable. “At times, the testimony of those witnesses just didn’t make sense,” he said.
While his decision prompted several supporters of Mr. Bell to storm out of the courtroom, and there were a few small scuffles outside the courthouse, by late morning there no suggestions of any broader unrest around the city. Mr. Bell’s family members made no comment as they left, and they immediately drove to visit his grave at the Nassau Knolls Cemetery and Memorial Park in Port Washington.
The verdict comes 17 months to the day since the Nov. 25, 2006, shooting of Mr. Bell, 23, and his friends, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield, outside the Club Kalua in Jamaica, Queens, hours before Mr. Bell was to be married. The detectives were found not guilty on all felony and misdemeanor charges in the... more
"Three detectives were found not guilty Friday morning on all charges in the November, 2006, shooting death of Sean Bell, who died in a hail of 50 police bullets outside a club in Jamaica, Queens.
The verdict prompted several supporters of Mr. Bell to storm out of the courtroom, and screams could be heard in the hallway moments later. The verdict comes 17 months to the day since the Nov. 25, 2006, shooting of Mr. Bell, 23, and his friends, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield, outside the Club Kalua in Jamaica, Queens, hours before Mr. Bell was to be married."
More details to follow."Three detectives were found not guilty Friday morning on all charges in the November,... more
50 bullets were shot to kill Sean Bell on November 25, 2006, now the trial begins against the three police officers who did the shooting.
Racial injustice still occurs each and everyday, let's try to stop it. 50 bullets were shot to kill Sean Bell on November 25, 2006, now the trial begins... more
WE OWN THE NIGHT- 365 DAYS OF MARCHING - THE AMADOU DIALLO STORY- MOVIE CLIP 3
Activists, politicians and religious leaders discuss the 4 officers responsible for Amadou Diallos death, the NYPDs Street Crimes Unit and its motto WE OWN THE NIGHT..
Floyd Flake, Antonio Rosario Sr., Carmen Quinones, David Dinkins, Rubin Diaz Sr., Robert Lederman
The streets of New York City have certainly witnessed its share of acts of civil disobedience, violence and rebellion. Dating back as far as the Draft Riots of 1863, very often, the disenfranchised would take to the streets when opposing the governments unfair policies and practices. Eight years ago when an unarmed African immigrant by the name of Amadou Diallo was shot at 41 times (hit 19 times) by 4 New York City Police Officers, the people took to the streets charging the NYPD with police brutality. Over the next two years that followed, a series of marches and protests was set into motion that would forever change the lives of New Yorkers. At its conceptual root, spearheaded by Rev Al Sharpton and the National Action Network, was the march for justice for Diallo. However, in the midst of the struggles a new breed of protestor began to emerge. Along the side of the activist stood politicians, students and professors, unions and laborers. The shout of No Justice - No Peace! What do we want? JUSTICE! Now became What do we want??BOOKS! HOUSING! JOBS! Diallos death became a symbol for justice on all fronts. 360 Media recounts this bitter and yet compelling part of New York City history in the upcoming documentary entitled 365 Days of Marching The Amadou Diallo Story DIRECTED, WRITTEN & PRODUCED by Veronica Keitt CO-PRODUCED BY Michael Drake, Ozzie Thompson, Nat Woods, Darryl Stith SPECIAL APPEARANCES by Rev Al Sharpton, Seiko & Kadiatou Diallo, the parents of Amadou Diallo, David N. Dinkins, former NYC Mayor, Charles Rangel, US Congressmen, Rev. Jessie Jackson, Charles Barron, Councilman, Norman Siegel, ACLU Community Leaders, Activists and others ...
