Sharpton Cuffed At 50-Shot Killing Protest

Cops Make Arrests As Hundreds Protest Acquittal Of 3 NYC Cops In Shooting Of Unarmed Man

(AP)  The Rev. Al Sharpton and nearly 200 demonstrators were arrested Wednesday as they blocked traffic at the height of the evening rush hour to protest the acquittals of three detectives in the 50-bullet shooting of an unarmed black man.

Police estimated that about 190 people were arrested, including Sharpton, two survivors of the shooting and the slain man's fiancee. They lined up and peacefully put their hands behind their backs as police arrested them on disorderly conduct charges.

The demonstrators prayed, sang and chanted such slogans as "no justice, no peace" as they converged on six heavily used bridges and tunnels. The protests were part of a coordinated campaign to urge federal authorities to charge the detectives with civil rights violations in the shooting of Sean Bell on his wedding day in November 2006.

The three officers were acquitted of state charges last month in a case that from the start ignited protests and spurred criticism of police tactics. One of the officers fired 31 shots, emptying his clip two times in a few short seconds.

Sharpton has said Wednesday's "pray-in" protest was a preview of potential future demonstrations designed to paralyze the city.

"We're going to keep coming until we get federal indictments. It's wrong," said Frank Rodriguez, a military veteran who brought a homemade model of the shooting scene to the Brooklyn Bridge rally, which began outside police headquarters in downtown Manhattan.

U.S. attorney spokesman Robert Nardoza said the case was under review, but he declined further comment about a possible federal case.

Sharpton, shooting survivors Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield, and Bell's fiancee, Nicole Paultre Bell linked arms as they blocked a street at the Brooklyn Bridge's base. They were trailed by at least 200 demonstrators who kneeled down in prayer in the road and counted from one to 50 in a stark reference to the barrage of gunfire that killed Bell. Some carried signs proclaiming, "We are all Sean Bell."

The protests were carefully orchestrated: Organizers circulated sign-up sheets for those willing to be arrested and issued instructions on how to behave when arrested. They also were advised not to volunteer if they had warrants out for their arrests or other pending legal issues.

The arrested protesters were expected to be issued tickets for misdemeanor offenses and released within a few hours, police said.

On the opposite side of lower Manhattan, an ethnically diverse crowd of about 80 demonstrators chanted, "We're fired up — we won't take it no more," and held hands as the Rev. James E. Booker Jr. blessed the crowd.

"Don't let Sean Bell's death be in vain," said Booker, pastor of St. John A.M.E. Church in Harlem.

After marching to the Holland Tunnel behind a "Stop the Brutality" banner, the protesters blocked two entrances to the tunnel as some sang the civil rights anthem "We Shall Overcome." Demonstrators who moved to the sidewalk applauded each time one of their fellow protesters was arrested.

Drivers waited patiently. "I disagree with doing anything illegal, but, hey, this is what makes America great," said Aaron Hanson, a passenger in a car waiting to get into the tunnel. "If this is what people really need to do to make a statement, it's what they should do."

A few miles uptown, some protesters were arrested after blocking traffic into midtown Manhattan on the Queensboro Bridge, while about 200 people rallied near the entrance to the Triborough Bridge in Harlem.

A heavy police presence initially stood by during the demonstrations, allowing the protesters to march unimpeded to the bridges and tunnels where they stopped traffic. Mayor Michael Bloomberg had pledged to "make sure that everybody's rights are protected and that the law is obeyed."

The racially polarizing case has raised questions about police use of deadly force in minority communities. Bell was black, as are two of his friends who were wounded in the shooting; the officers were black, Hispanic and white.

Bell crossed paths with the undercover detectives as he was leaving his bachelor party with friends.

The officers testified they feared for their lives after Bell and his friends got into a testy exchange with another patron and appeared to be going to retrieve a gun; Bell's friends testified the detectives fired wildly and without warning at Bell's car. No gun was ever found.

State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Cooperman, who heard the case after the detectives waived their right to a jury, said he found the testimony of the officers more credible than the version of events offered by the victims.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said Wednesday that the police department was continuing to examine the possibility of disciplinary action against the detectives.

[questionnews]

I really wonder if there would have been any protests if the gut was only shot once. Dead is dead. Whether shot once or 50 times.

[republic1776]

"Sharpton had promised recently to "close this city down" with civil disobedience. "

I think Al is a racist, but he does have a right to protest and Our Government has the balls to say; civil disobedience?
Wake up America, we are half-way to Germany 1939

[obamawhama]

Wake up America, we are half-way to Germany 1939




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by republic1776 at 06:24 PM : May 07, 2008
+ report abuse

************

so does that mean that the KKK should share the same spotlight as sharpton???

easy with your ''facist'' declerations..

"just because you have thr right to free speech DOES NOT MEAN YOUR SPEECH IS RIGHT"

[bdrlnt4rl]

people like sharpton has taken MLK''''s dream and twisted in a sick way to make the black community suffer for his own popularity and financial gain. the ignorant thing is that doors are open, education is there, oportunity is knowcking, and people like sharpton fuel the fire of hatred in the minds of my black community.

my direct grandfather joined the revolutionary war to gain his freedom. my black forefathers fought for freedom, and they fought in vein.

and yes, i have done a lot to try to change how people view the black community and i have done quite well. i have an education, i teach my children not to be a slave to the government or to drugs. i stress education and staying clean with the law, morally, drugs, alcohol, you name it.

it starts with me, the parent. it starts with wanting to better yourself so idiots like sharpton do not have a reason to fuel a hatred march.

there is no ''''wrong place at the wrong time'''' thought when it comes to illegal matters, such as excess drinking, drugs, partying, prostitution, etc. if you know, and you will know, get the helllll out. that is the sure fire way to stay alive and stay out of jail.
it is goes with taunting the police as well.

[benal1]

Al is not getting harrassed in Jail, he''s probably already posted bond. get real, no body is "bothering him in prison"

[scratch057]

bdrlnt4rl: God Bless you and your children.

[claytonantho]

Al may be a publicity hound, a gullible idiot and a caterer to what is wrong with Black leaders, but this is one event I totally agree with him protesting based on how it traspired.

[three-o-six]

claytonantho

Nope -- never been in Jail -- just aware of the stories

And it could not be happening to a more deserving man.

[claytonantho]

it starts with me, the parent. it starts with wanting to better yourself so idiots like sharpton do not have a reason to fuel a hatred march.

there is no ''''''''wrong place at the wrong time'''''''' thought when it comes to illegal matters, such as excess drinking, drugs, partying, prostitution, etc. if you know, and you will know, get the helllll out. that is the sure fire way to stay alive and stay out of jail.
it is goes with taunting the police as well.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by bdrlnt4rl

Where is this so-called hatred in this march? Did a police get his behind kicked by anyone? Come on guys, I understand the many reasons people hate Sharpton, but what he is doing here should not be one of those reasons. Let us be fair about this.

[benal1]

Don''t you worry about ol''Al. He''s just fine. Wanna Bet he''s already posted bond and has been released?

[claytonantho]

claytonantho

Nope -- never been in Jail -- just aware of the stories

And it could not be happening to a more deserving man.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by three-o-six

Sorry to disappoint you, out of all the things that could happen to Sharpton, that is not one of them. Just like Richard Pryor made people laugh in jail so that they would not think of doing him, believe me, Al is probably preaching up a storm to avoid getting hit.

[claytonantho]

Please understand one thing about Sharpton, no matter how many people say otherwise, HE DOES NOT SPEAK FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY!!! You would not believe how many black minister, black politicians, working-class African Americans repudiate what Al stands for, such as an obsession of Blacks always being victims. But every blue moon even Al may be right about something. This is one of those times.

[olebd]

Ha Ha...what a great picture. Look at his gigantic head. It fits his ego. Stick the "Reverend" Wright in the cell with him.

[obamawhama]

But every blue moon even Al may be right about something. This is one of those times.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by claytonantho at 06:56 PM : May 07, 2008
+ report abuse


**********

and what was that?? that the police shot him 50 times because he was black??

[obamawhama]

sharpton MUST be a very busy man since racism afflicts EVERY BLACK MAN..WOMAN AND CHILD..(so he say)..how come we never hear him protest about the small guy?? NO PUBLICITY WITH THE SMALL GUY..

[prinzowhales]

Of course, this helps him with his credibility problem in the black community after dissin'' Rev. Wright...After Brawley and the Duke LaCrosse team fiasco, like a blind pig...he has finally found an acorn.

The murder of Bell needs to be taken within the context of institutional departmental problems nation wide...unjustified homicide and brutalization of American citizens by the, in many cases, federally trained police departments.

As usual, with these Establishment shills, they want more concentration of power AWAY from the people... in this case with the federal government. The Black Panther Party upheld the right of ALL citizens to control the police in their neighborhoods--if you don''t control the police the police will control you--and if you don''t control the police...you are not free.

The governor and attorney general of New York seem to have laid real low during this crisis...I imagine they will treat it as they treated 9-11...just a time to stay out of the way...to ''ell with the laws of the State of New York

[mo005]

I hope the racist s.o.b. rots in there. he and his alter ego( Jessie Jackson) are the two that keeps the fire burning on the racism trail.

[bdrlnt4rl]

look at his stupid look on his stupid racist face!!!! real smart looking idiot

[bdrlnt4rl]

Let us be fair about this.

Posted by claytonantho



maybe fairness should start with sharpton. he just fuel the fire of hatred.

[bdrlnt4rl]

and what was that?? that the police shot him 50 times because he was black??

Posted by obamawhama



the officers were black. in the line of fire, they thought they were the ones being shot at. a very scary situation for the officers.

[bdrlnt4rl]

sharpton told this mother in LA to stop her protesting because her son was trying to better himself by getting an education. sharpton does not want to deal with the educated black community.

[enaudnella]

Oh,,,,,,,,,,and a black man being shot 50 times, run over, hung, beat is not possible in the KKK hide-out(police department)?

[trenticus-2009]

Stick him a white populated cell and lets see how he fairs.

[enaudnella]

trent................just drive thru the inner city and brag about this arrest.....see how u do

[keithle1]

That''s exactly what the Right Reverend Sharpton wants. To be arrested. He lives. Whatever it takes to get on the TV news.

""Sharpton had promised recently to "close this city down" with civil disobedience.""

Oh puleeeze. Gimme a break, you old windbag. Any whiff of possible police brutality & he can''t get there fast enough.

One of the three officers was black. Guess he can''t be a racist.

What about the black men that are shot & killed by other black men on our city streets 24-7. Can''t blame
that on the police.

[keithle1]

Sharpton lives for the attention. He fancies himself a modern day MLK, Jr. "Yes, it''s me Sharpton against the world. Only I can protect black people from the police & the evil White Conspiracy. How did they ever survive without me? Excuse me miss, you''re in my light. Can''t you see that photographer from the NY POST is trying to take my picture? Yes, I''d be happy to be on CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC, MSNBC, BBC World News, etc."

[sistatee-2009]

Reload and empty the next fifty shots into Sharpton.

[bobnjersey]

[... which proves it was just another ''''sharpton circus act'']
[Posted by sbbm at 06:10 PM : May 07, 2008]

what would you call one detective alone firing 30 rounds at three unarmed men?

there''s just no way to justify firing 30 rounds ... even if you were being fired at.

would you want that detective policing the streets around your house ... or how about around the school where your kids attend?

[bobnjersey]

[the officers were black. in the line of fire, they thought they were the ones being shot at. a very scary situation for the officers.]
[Posted by bdrlnt4rl at 07:53 PM : May 07, 2008]

only one of the officers was black ... and it wasn''t the one who fired 30 rounds.

they were not in the line of fire. these three guys were unarmed.

very scary indeed ... come out of a bar where you''re having your bachelor party ... and end up in a hail of bullets.

one of the survivors was shot 16 times ... 16 times!

[dowjones20k]

Well Rev Al was able to get himself arrested and I am sure he will hit the airwaves tomorrow .. trying to get some money and face time .... he hardly shut down the city of New York though ...another idle threat.

Too bad these folks don''t protest the murder, drugs, thuggery, gangbangin, unwed, baby poppin, no father in sight fools in thier own neighborhoods with the ferver they use to protest incidents like this ...

The judge has ruled ... case closed. Unless the feds can find a way to make this a civil rights violation it all done!

No brains, No headache !!

[bobnjersey]

[No other race has 70% of their children born out of wedlock, blacks commit over 60% of all crime and make up only 13% of the population ... If Obama happens to get elected President then you ain''''t seen nothing yet.]
[Posted by dmw1167 at 09:08 PM : May 07, 2008]

so ... why don''t you spell it out for us ... will the number of black children out of wedlock go up or down because obama is president? will the percentage of crime go up or down because obama is president? will the percentage of the population that''s black go up or down because obama is president?

what are we all going to see when he''s elected president ... besides a bunch of ignorant people exposing their narrow views openly?

[dowjones20k]

what are we all going to see when he''''s elected president ...

Posted by bobnjersey at 09:42 PM : May 07, 2008


Uhhh did I miss something or has Obama already been elected? Oh I know the media wants him to be elected and has already pronounced him as such .. but I believe the general election has yet to take place .. and I think a minimum of two candidates will be on the ballot ..

Novemebr will be interesting to say the least ...

So it aint done yet ...

[bobnjersey]

[Uhhh did I miss something or has Obama already been elected?]
[Posted by dowjones20k at 09:46 PM : May 07, 2008]

yea ... you missed something ... it''s not clear exactly what ... but something''s definitely missing.

[brianp55]

Capital punishment is warranted.

[nothappyatall]

"The Rev. Al Sharpton was arrested at the Brooklyn Bridge on Wednesday as he and hundreds of demonstrators blocked traffic"

You know, he spoke out against this right? now that he and his fellow rightwingers are speaking out against the police I think they should set up gallows or something in the park and burn Sharpton at the stake like his fellow right wingers did in the middle ages to anyone who dared speak out against the CHURCH and its corrupt wrong teachings (earth is flat, universe revolves around earth etc)

[bdrlnt4rl]

bobnjersey

there is no ''''''''wrong place at the wrong time'''''''' thought when it comes to illegal matters, such as excess drinking, drugs, partying, prostitution, etc. if you know, and you will know, get the helllll out. that is the sure fire way to stay alive and stay out of jail.
it is goes with taunting the police as well.

[ranger1948]

It is too bad sharpton didn''t take the 50 rounds. He is a maggot feeding off his own people. As for the guy being shot 16 times, i agree, the police should have been better shots. These are not choir boys but convicted criminals. hey made a statement about going to get a gun, they did not follow police instructions, they hit a police officer and backed into a police van. In the original story it said two officers were black and one was Mexican. Now they are saying one was white. Shows how much you can believe the news media doe accurate reporting.

[keithle1]

Does Sharpton live in a predominantly black neighborhood like North Philadelphia or SE Washington, DC? Anyone know? He''s such a man of the people. Seems like he would be happy to live in the inner city of Detroit. You know. Where he can learn about the problems facing "African-Americans" first hand.

Cops tell you to "freeze," you stand still. You don''t move. Do what you''re told. Cooperate. Shut up. Save your attitude for someone else. Cop doesn''t want to hear your b.s. Your angry black man rap. "Poor little me. Being picked on again by the poh-leece. Just minding my own business."

The only thing that gets most black people off their butts is a cry of "police brutality."

How many young black men do you think are running around NYC with a gun on their person & one in their car/SUV? More than a few?

[bobnjersey]

[if obama gets elected president then the blacks will lose their crutch in life. it will be hard for them to say the reason they cant make it in life is because they are black. everyone will say, but a black man is president...if he can do it so can you ]
[Posted by jamesm12341 at 10:26 PM : May 07, 2008]

interesting. i''m going take a little license here and slightly modify your statement above (change perspective).

"if obama gets elected president then my (a black man''s) perspective will shift to be one of hope instead of despair. it will be hard for me to view the inherent inequity in life as an insurmountable obstacle to success and happiness. everyone will say, but a black man is president...if he can do it so can i"

it''s really the same as what you said ... just from the point of view of a black man.

if this is possible ... how is this a bad thing?

[bobnjersey]

[Cops tell you to "freeze," you stand still. You don''''t move. Do what you''''re told. Cooperate. Shut up. Save your attitude for someone else. Cop doesn''''t want to hear your b.s. Your angry black man rap. "Poor little me. Being picked on again by the poh-leece. Just minding my own business." ]

it''s not like it hasn''t happened before. in fact, it happens all the time ... it''s not a rap.

http://www.cnn.com/US/9909/09/profiling.indictments.01/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abner_Louima

[truthyness]

Look at Sharpton''s face. I can almost hear him saying,

What!! You can''t arrest me, I''m Black!!

O.J.''s BLACK, Obama''s Black, even that sweet cheeks on American Idol is Black. Man, don''t you know we all stick together? You just wait until we put our Man in the White House....I mean the BLACK HOUSE!!!

[truthyness]

Sharpton, DON"T YOU KNOW IT''S THE ''BLACK '' DEMOCRATIC PARTY??? We be in the Black House soon!!

[jeepmanjr]

You want to "overcome"? Get a job and quit being a tatoo neck, career criminal good for nothing detriment to society and become a productive citizen. You bet...cops for thousands of square miles come out of the woodwork to harass the poor black man. Gimme a freekin'' break!! There''s a reason why over 60% of all black males will be arrested and/or do jail/prison time for having comitted a felony(ies). Sure, it''s because they''re black...right! Until the day comes that they become social attributes rather than poor, once upon a time I heard somewhere that blacks may have been slaves and the government owes me something, where is my government cheese, I can call you cracker, honkey, etc but you can''t say anything to or about me, well, expect nothing different. Do the crime, pay the freekin'' time. Blacks included!! Now go march somewhere!!

[ceres5]

With judges such as Arthur Cooperman, it is a cruel joke to say that the United States has the best legal justice system in the world.

[dbstevens]

Sharpton and everyone else deserved to be arrested. NOT for what they were protesting, but because they were so disruptive of traffic and other peoples'' lives. That shows a huge amount of disrespect for others. If they don''t care how much they inconvenience people, then why should we care what their views are? And what if an emergency vehicle couldn''t get through snarled traffic? That sort of activism turns me off immediately. It''s arrogant, disrespectful and damaging. And it does more to turn people away from your views than toward them. If I were stuck in traffic because of these antics, you can be sure that I''d be more angry than sympathetic. You accomplish nothing by acting with maliciousness, and this was malicious behavior. He should have stayed in jail. These so-called "human rights" people who just like to call attention to themselves are operating from ego, not from a humanist standpoint.

[haoli25]

I hope the NYPD someday get the opportunity to shoot this PIMP.

[ontheleft]

"If they don''''t care how much they inconvenience people, then why should we care what their views are? And what if an emergency vehicle couldn''t get through snarled traffic?"

I got caught in traffic during an anti-war demonstration once and it was scary. Mob mentality takes over.

[fiteit1]

Posted by brucestevens at 12:05 AM : May 08, 2008

What have you done to right the wrong?
I don''t like Sharpton, a mater of fact I can''t stand the guy or what he stands for but what I hate more is arrogant, self serving judges that are more interested in protecting cowboy cops and the budge bottom line than finding out why 50 shot were fired at 3 unarmed men.

At least it was peaceful and would you rather be late or the next Bell when cowboy cops go wild?

[abmitus]

bondshomo,

Good. Mission accomplished!

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by SistaTee at 08:56 PM

You and others need to be put away for a long time.