As
a Queens, New York grand jury prepares to hand down a decision for the five police
officers accused of murdering Sean Bell, a coalition of New York City-based grassroots
organizations are coming together to demand justice in the aftermath of the fatal
shooting.The
effort is being spearheaded by Peoples’ Justice, a NYC group comprised of various
grassroots organizations who are dedicated to fighting for equal opportunities
for all. Member
organizations include: Audre Lorde Project(ALP); CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities;
Desis Rising Up and Moving(DRUM); Families United for Racial and Economic Justice(FUREE);
FIERCE!; Immigrant Justice Solidarity Project (IJSP); Jews for Racial and Economic
Justice (JFREJ); Justice Committee; Malcolm X Grassroots Movement (MXGM); National
Hip-Hop Convention; and Nodutdol for Korean Community Development.The
organizations are expected to join City Council member Charles Barron and other
elected officials as well as representatives of the Bell family and other families
of victims of police brutality for a press conference in front of One Police Plaza
(behind the Municipal Building at One Centre Street).The
event is scheduled to take place at noon the day after the grand jury’s decision
in the case, which has sparked protests and criticism of the NYPD. If the day
falls on a weekend, the press conference will be at 10 a.m.The
gathering is the latest happening in the aftermath of the Nov. 25, 2006 murder
of Bell, who was killed the day before his wedding after leaving a Queens strip
club. According to reports, plain clothes police officers descended on the vehicle
Bell was in, which also housed his two close friends, Joseph Guzman and Trent
Benefield.The
officers, whom Bell reportedly mistook for assailants, fired 50 rounds at the
groom to be, who attempted to escape. Guzman and Benefield were wounded in the
incident, but survived.Since
the hearing began, a Support the Bell Family daily vigil has been held at the
Queens Supreme Court in Kew Gardens. The vigil, which takes place from 10 a.m.
to 2 p.m., weekdays, will continue until the grand jury’s decision is announced.On
Wednesday (March 14), the New York Police Department announced they will deploy
more than 4,000 street and undercover officers to various areas in the city in
preparation of more protests.The
department’s announcement comes amid recent news of a last minute witness in the
case who said he witnessed the shooting and had information about it, according
to reports, which stated that the witness came forward on his own to say someone
other than the police fired shots and fled."It
appears to me that there may be unnamed parties who are eager to throw a monkey
wrench into the gears of justice," Congressman Gregory W. Meeks told AllHipHop.com
in a statement. Meeks
believes the 11th hour development has "all the earmarks of a provocation
and a maneuver to delay, if not disrupt, the grand jury process." "I
trust that neither District Attorney Brown nor the grand jury will allow a detour
to be placed in the path of their patient, detailed, diligent work," Meeks
said. "I urge the community and people of goodwill throughout the city to
remain vigilant, disciplined, and hopeful, at all times respecting justice and
keeping their "eyes on the prize."People’s
Justice will hold another rally at 5 p.m. the day after the decision at Union
Square if the decision is reached on a weekday and noon if the day after falls
on a weekend.The
public is invited to attend the gatherings. For
details, visit www.myspace.com/peoplesjustice.
To sign up for the family’s e-list, visit the Bell family’s website at: www.justiceforsean.net.
