NPR: Sean Bell Protesters Descend Upon Streets of NYC

Sean Bell Protesters Descend Upon Streets of NYC

A series of "pray-ins" -- led by Al Sharpton -- are planned throughout New York City today, in response to the acquittals of three officers in the shooting death of the unarmed, 23-year-old Sean Bell.

WCBS TV has more:

Sharpton will join Bell's fiance, Nicole Paultre Bell, and stage a series of "pray-ins" to keep their cause visible. "I will be there and everyone willing to support us, please, come," she said Tuesday night.

Simultaneous protests are planned for 3 p.m. in six key transit areas in the city -- five in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn. Large crowds are expected for the acts of civil disobedience, which could see hundreds of people clogging each designated protest spot. The protests are expected to continue through the evening rush hour.

...Protesters want the acquitted NYPD officers -- Michael Oliver, Gescard Isnora, and Marc Cooper -- to face additional sanctions.

On today's show, Farai spoke with the Rev. Herb Daughtry about these protests. What do you think of these acts of civil disobedience? Necessary? Effective? If you live in New York, share your firsthand accounts of how this plays out.

UPDATE: Sharpton Arrested in Protests

Geoffrey Bennett

Tags: Sean Bell

12:13 PM ET | 05- 7-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

My heart goes out to Nicole Paultre Bell and the rest of Sean Bell's family, but I don't believe these "pray-ins" will have much impact. Unless Ms. Bell goes after these officers in a civil suit, not much else will happen to them. I don't have much faith that the NYPD blue will sanction them in any fashion.

http://thepunkin-patch.blogspot.com

Sent by Kim | 1:04 PM ET | 05-07-2008

God bless 'em. The protesters, of course.

Sent by Thomas B | 5:58 PM ET | 05-07-2008

Ignorance! Ignorance of the circumstances surrounding this matter. That's what I think of your panelist today. Ignorance, that although loosely speaking two of the cops are black, one is Hispanic and the other is African American. Ignorance, that the white cop shot 31 bullets, the Hispanic cop shot 11 bullets, the Black cop 4 bullets. Aint that America when it comes to race! And finally, ignorance that only the African American showed any remorse by apologizing to the family after the verdict. I hope you set the record straight at your earliest opportunity.

Sent by EJ | 6:09 PM ET | 05-07-2008

I think these acts of civil disobedience are quite ineffective. Using 1950's & 1960's techniques in the 21st century no longer works. We need to find new methods.

Sent by KALW Country | 1:25 AM ET | 05-08-2008

I don't mean to undermine the fact that the kid was unarmed- but Sean Bell was known by the police as a drug dealer. He sold twice to undercover officers. Why are we lamenting the death of a drug dealer?!

Sent by Sara | 2:44 PM ET | 05-08-2008

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