Yesterday the Rev. Al Sharpton led demonstrations in New York City in protest of the acquittal of three police officers who launched 50 bullets at three unarmed black men in 2006 - injuring two and killing one - Sean Bell - who was to be married the same day.
The demonstrations were described as “pray-ins” and were designed to gain attention by peacefully bringing the city’s busy traffic centers to a crawl. Organizers made certain that the estimated 1,000 participants were ready and willing to be arrested and, sure enough, 216 people from six protest locations were taken into custody. Interested persons with warrants or otherwise legal issues pending were urged not to participate.
That number includes Sharpton, the slain man’s would-be bride, and the two shooting survivors, each of whom lined up and calmy put their hands behind their backs as police arrested them on disorderly conduct charges, according to the AP. They were released about four hours later, said Sharpton spokeswoman Rachel Noerdlinger.
According to the New York Times, police spokesman Paul J. Browne said almost all of those arrested on Wednesday were charged with disorderly conduct, processed through central booking in Manhattan and issued tickets to appear in court. He said that about six demonstrators were issued summonses for less serious violations. The spokesman also reported that there were no injuries, and no arrests for violence.
“As anticipated, it was not violent and there was some traffic disruption,” said Browne. “But both the civil disobedience and the resulting arrests were conducted in an orderly fashion.”
Carrie
Miranda
Charlotte
Samantha
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