publish.nyc.indymedia.org | Killer Cops Acquited - Protest today to demand justice for Sean Bell

April 25, 2008 11:01AM EDT [general.addtranslation] Download Article (PDF) [ insert language bar ]

Killer Cops Acquited - Protest today to demand justice for Sean Bell

Killer Cops Acquited - Protest today to demand justice for Sean Bell

By John Brown

Breaking News - All 3 killer cops have been acquitted of the murder of Sean Bell.
Protest today - APRIL 25th at 5:30 pm @ the Queens DA's Office
125-01 Queens Blvd. (between Hoover Ave & 82nd Ave.)
E or F train to Union Turnpike

Keywords: Analysis, Local, Human Rights, Race, Police & Prisons, Repression, Civil Rights,

JUSTICE FOR SEAN BELL AND ALL VICTIMS OF POLICE VIOLENCE!!
COME OUT APRIL 25th THE DAY OF THE VERDICT!!
In Nov. 2006, Sean Bell was murdered by the NYPD in a hail of 50 bullets. His friends - Trent Benefield and Joseph Guzman - were seriously injured. 3 of the officers involved now await the verdict of their trial. The judge has stated that he will announce the verdict on FRIDAY, APRIL 25th. PEOPLES JUSTICE for Community Control and Police Accountability is calling for a rally and community speak-out in front of the Queens DA's office ON THIS DAY*.

COME OUT: APRIL 25th at 5:30 pm

@ the Queens DA's Office

125-01 Queens Blvd. (between Hoover Ave & 82nd Ave.)

E or F train to Union Turnpike

The NYPD's murder of Bell and attempted murders of Benefield and Guzman are NOT isolated or random events. They represent the continued targeting of communities of color by the police and the lack of accountability for police misconduct and abuse.

Endorsers (list in formation):
Audre Lorde Project Black Radical Congress-NY
CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities Center for Constitutional Rights
Congress for Korean Reunification Critical Resistance
Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM) DJ Chela
Domestic Workers United (DWU) FIERCE
Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC) Hasan Salaam
Hip Hop Caucus Immigrant Justice Solidarity Project
International Action Center Jews for Racial & Economic Justice (JFREJ)
Justice Committee Lynne Stewart Organization
Make The Road By Walking Malcolm X Grassroots Movement
Mano a Mano
May 1st Coalition
National Hip Hop Political Convention New Abolitionists
Nodutdol for Korean Community Development October 22nd Coalition
Parents Against Police Brutality Rebel Diaz
Revolting in Pink (R.I.P) Rights for Imprisoned People with Psychiatric Disabilities (RIPPD)
Sylvia Rivera Law Project Sylvia Rivera Law Project
VAMOS Unidos War Resisters League
Where We Live Radio Program/WBAI-FM NY

By John Brown http://www.peoplesjustice.org/site/

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Add your comments

Justice

Apr 25, 2008 04:06PM EDT

Bob

So you have 12 people who heard both sides of the story and all 12 decided that these officers are not guilty. How was justice not served? It seems that if your lynching mob had its way, justice would not have been served.

You guys get all excited when one of your lefties is found not guilty. In those cases justice works, huh. When you don't get your way, it is time to protest the broken system?

Get over it. The officers are not guilty.

(in)justice

Apr 25, 2008 04:52PM EDT

twelve people did not decide this. there was no jury, only a single judge. why was there no jury? because a jury would have never found these cops unanimously innocent. never.

(in)justice cont'd

Apr 25, 2008 05:31PM EDT

logan

Moreover, the single judge who decided the case was an ex-cop, and the case was prosecuted by the DA, who effectively represents the police in virtually all proceeedings, rather than a special prosecutor.

To Bob

Apr 25, 2008 07:32PM EDT

Possitus

You really don't know what you are talking about do you Bob. Not even
informed on the case (writing it had gone to a jury), but willing, like a clueless sheep, to acquit the scumbags.

Want justice? Go out and make it on your own. You have their addresses, look them up. However be sure to bring a sufficent number to back you up.
Maybe the "judge" deserves a call too.

Email I just sent.

Apr 25, 2008 10:23PM EDT

Chris von Deutschburg

Saturday 26 April 2008

Queens District Attorney
New York
United States of America

Re: Three Cops Acquitted In Killing of Sean Bell

Dear District Attorney,

Your crimes against humanity, specifically Sean Bell, have been noted.

One day you will indeed have to give an account for what you have done.

The stench from your corrupt police has reached the shores of Australia.

Shame on you for protecting the guilty and punishing the innocent.

Sincerely,

Chris von Deutschburg
IHS Civil Rights Activist
Melbourne, Australia

=========================

I wish I could do more to help. Let me know.

I used my actual email account to send this, but I will only post my gmail account here to be contacted if I can help.

antarticgreen AT gmail.com

Here is the reply I got.

Apr 25, 2008 10:29PM EDT

Chris von Deutschburg

Kevin Ryan
KRRyan@queensda.org

START QUOTE

Dear Mr. Von Deutschburg:

Thank you for talking the time to share your opinion with the District Attorney's Office.

END QUOTE

photos from the rally

Apr 26, 2008 12:49AM EDT

andrew hinderaker tehhindy@gmail.com

photos from the rally and march

photos from the rally

Apr 26, 2008 12:52AM EDT

andrew hinderaker tehhindy@gmail.com

photos from the rally and march

hundreds gathered at the courthouse earlier today to protest the acquittal of the cops who killed sean bell. we marched in the streets to jamica, queens.

Obama Supports Sean Bell Verdict.

Apr 26, 2008 12:39PM EDT

From the Washington Post

"Well, look, obviously there was a tragedy in New York. I said at the time, without benefit of all the facts before me, that it looked like a possible case of excessive force. The judge has made his ruling, and we're a nation of laws, so we respect the verdict that came down," he said in response to a question at a gas station in Indianapolis, where he was holding a news conference.

[ http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/04/25/obama_takes_questions_on_sean.html ]

Obama the uncle tom

Apr 26, 2008 01:31PM EDT

Good. That will make people see him for the uncle tom that he is. I wonder how "progressives for Obama" will respond to this...?

Hypocrisy on full display

Apr 29, 2008 11:41AM EDT

alec

Obama and Clinton Statements on Police Trial

By Jeff Zeleny,NYT

5:50 p.m. | The two candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination both made statements about the verdict in the the Sean Bell case.

Asked by reporters about it in Indianapolis, Senator Barack Obama said the police shooting at first seemed like a case of excessive force. He withheld judgment, but urged community leaders and the police to come together and peacefully work through the tragedy.

“We’re a nation of laws, so we respect the verdict that came down,” Mr. Obama told reporters here on the campaign trail in Indiana. “Resorting to violence to express displeasure over a verdict is something that is completely unacceptable and is counterproductive.”
Clinton

In the early evening, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York issued a written statement:

This tragedy has deeply saddened New Yorkers - and all Americans. My thoughts are with Nicole and her children and the rest of Sean’s family during this difficult time. The court has given its verdict, and now we await the conclusion of a Department of Justice civil rights investigation. We must also embrace this opportunity to take steps — in our communities, in our law enforcement agencies, and in our government — to make sure this does not happen again.