publish.nyc.indymedia.org | Coalition initiates coordinated blockades in response to Sean Bell verdict

May 07, 2008 09:37PM EDT [general.addtranslation] Download Article (PDF) [ insert language bar ]

Coalition initiates coordinated blockades in response to Sean Bell verdict

Pictures from Hudson & Canal action

By Amy L. Dalton

"If you're not going to lock up the guilty in this town, then I guess you're going to have to lock up the innocent," declared the Rev. Al Sharpton as he and other religious and community leaders, at the request of the family of Sean Bell, announced plans for a series of traffic blockades. In response, people converged on a half-dozen selected intersections, some intent on arrests and others to support. Here are pictures from the action that began at Varick & Houston Streets, marched slowly for a half mile along a route that was not disclosed in advance to those gathered, and stopped to block two adjacent intersections at Hudson & Canal, resulting in nearly two dozen arrests. Representing in colors were the NAACP and SEIU.

Keywords: Event, Local, Government, Human Rights, Police & Prisons, Civil Rights,

march leaders

Hazel Dukes, site coordinator

police want to know where the leaders are going

prayer before the action

blockade #1

blockade #2

arrests1

arrests2

arrests3

Chants included "no justice, no peace," "justice for Sean Bell!" and the long count from 1 to 50, ending with "50 shots - No More!" Several march leaders were visibly choked up with emotion as they moved through the street, clutching each other's arms and chanting with focus and intent. During the disobedience several folks said prayers and sang softly.

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It was a good action albiet to scripted

May 08, 2008 12:35AM EDT

Hammerhand

I participated in today's action at 125th St. It was a good show of solidarity against the NYPD's repeated brutality.

For the most part, police were restrained but this being the NYPD, not that restrained. They did attack and arrest one man who was simply encouraging the crowd to take the streets.

The CD portion was very scripted and organizers were clearly getting upset with people not sticking with the plan which was to march on the sidewalk and stay clear until getting to the so-called arrest point. Fortunately, many in the crowd would have none of it and at one point, it turned into a blockade/ street party with jumping rope etc. in the intersection which was really great.

Kudos to the coalition for what was a really excellent action across the city. But, for the future, the coalition should beware of "cop in the head" and encourage participants and bystanders to have an organic mass. We are mad at the cops and should be allowed to express that. It's bad enough we have the cops telling us what to do.

Carry On Rev. Al

May 08, 2008 06:00AM EDT

Gotham http://www.indypendent.org

these questions of tactics will never be resolved but i think sharpton is on the right track. to shift the dynamic of an unaccountable police force and justice system in this city, he's going to have gradually build up a mass movement of tens of thousands of people that will be willing to risk arrest in order to shut the city down and force it to deal with its shit. that's going to require a number of these kinds of actions in the coming months and the goal has to be to bring in thousands of disengaged citizens who just can't tolerate this situation any longer. people who see protest not as a means to broaden support for your movmement but an act of authentic self-expression,

the black community in new york is for the most part weary and beaten down by years of police killing unarmed black men and getting away with it.

Was there

May 08, 2008 11:21AM EDT

Jen

and we took another street besides the main bridge entrance. this is not all about sharpton, it is diversity of tcatics and de entralized colaition building, with of course some familiar faces.

great day very empowered held the streets for hours.

one hting though, the wind up at olice plaza was ill advised

we all were holding harlem down and that courtyard at the oilce hq is detached from the city and a trap

Let me get this correct

May 08, 2008 05:54PM EDT

So you do not like the outcome of the trial, so you are making life hard on others. What exactly do you want? Do you want us to set aside the constitution for you and allow double jeopardy?

I didn't see 'reverend' Al protesting after the Reginald Denny verdict. Why?