All 3 detectives who murdered Sean Bell were acquitted on all charges. There was no jury. As I heard it described, the judge didn’t even bother reading each count for the verdict.
Liliana Segura wrote a succinct and on point recap on Alternet. When you revisit the details of how Mr. Bell was treated, the verdict is very hard to stomach.
http://alternet.org/blogs/peek/#83525
From an Alluswe track for Sean Bell that will probably never see the light of day….from 41 shots on Amadou Diallo in 1999 to 50 to take down Sean Bell in 2006.
Inflation
41 to 50, what a price to pay
7 years, 7 years
things that change, remain the same
call them errors in a system
made to function just that way
shots of heat, wet concrete
falling to the ground like heavy rain
the sound of the beast
is the sound of a beating in the street
of a heart stopped beating in the street
of a foot on the neck of a people in the street
illegitimate force
not the use of, just illegitimate
its inflation on the price of a life
unnecessary force
necessary to keep shit in place
lies and covers cheap as always
illegitimate force
not the use of, just illegitimate
its inflation on the price of a life
unnecessary force
necessary to keep shit in place
lies and covers cheap as always
I can not say that I am disappointed, as that would imply this type of miscarriage of justice is unthinkable. I am shocked, and yet I am not. The great Gil Scott Heron brilliantly noted that “America leads the world in shocks.” He said that in regards to Nixon and Vietnam, and it is true today for Bush and Iraq. It is true today for the NYPD, for the flawed ‘justice’ system, for the city as a whole. I am shocked that the city seemed peaceful when I arrived from Philadelphia this morning. The verdict was just getting out at that time however. Maybe there will be unity, and marches, and more.
But we’ve seen this time and time again. What I am, more accurately, is angry.
I will, and I hope that we will, find a type of grace in that anger. One that spurs us to action. Today and tomorrow. I call to mind the quote by St. Augustine:
Hope has two daughters
Their names are Anger and Courage.
Anger at the way things are and
Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.
*update*
RALLY
http://www.myspace.com/peoplesjustice
www.peoplesjustice.org
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): Allianza Dominicana, 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), El Puente, FIERCE, Fr. Luis Barrios – St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (West Harlem, Manhattan), Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition (NYC), Hasan Salaam, Hip Hop Caucus, Immigrant Justice Solidarity Project, Iglesia San Romero de Las Americas, 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, Party for the People, Rebel Diaz, Regeneracion, Revolting in Pink (R.I.P), Rights for Imprisoned People with Psychiatric Disabilities (RIPPD), Sylvia Rivera Law Project, VAMOS Unidos. War Resisters League, Where We Live Radio Program/WBAI-FM NY.
For more information about the April 25th rally/community speak-out, Peoples’ Justice, and other cases of police violence go to: peoplesjustice.org and myspace.com/peoplesjustice or email info@peoplesjustice.org. *Peoples Justice is no longer calling for an auction the day after the verdict. If the judge goes back on his word and chooses to delay handing down the verdict, COME OUT on April 25th at 5:30PM and go to peoplesjustice.org and myspace.com/peoplesjustice to find out about the next steps.
Flyer: http://peoplesjustice.org/site/images/stories/seanbell/PJ_Rally_On_Day_Of_%20Verdict.pdf
