Sounding the Bell for Justice

On April 25, 2008, yet another set of New York City Police were found not guilty in the death of a young Black man.

"50 was a number that was on everyone’s mind. '50 shots equals murder,' protestors shouted, then giving way to repeated counts from one to fifty," write Yonathan Dessalegn and Amy L. Dalton of the People’s Justice Coalition in a story posted here.

"As the march then passed through a tunnel, near the Long Island Railroad terminal that was lined with police, the crowd honored Sean Bell, through spontaneous uproars, clappings, and raising of fists. In his honor, many just invoked his name, shouting: Sean Bell, Sean Bell, Sean Bell — raising up the memory the courts would rather bury.

Sean Bell verdict protesters 

(Robert J. Mercado photo) 

"The march concluded at 8:00 p.m., shortly after sunset, near the place of the brutal shooting. Organizers from the People’s Justice Coalition addressed the crowd, urging people to continue the spirit of vigilance into tomorrow and the next day. One speaker spoke especially of the need for community members to step up and take on the role of monitoring police activity. As she gave examples of common racist and classist police practices, people yelled out in recognition and conviction."

The murder of Sean Bell will not go unpunished: many activists are planning protests and other actions to keep this case in the spotlight. Check out this one minute clip of the march that took place a little before 7 pm that night in Jamaica, Queens.