The police murder of Sean Bell and subsequent wounding of his friends under a hail of bullets is going to cost the city $7 million or so.
Rev. Al Sharpton refuses to go out like all those other cooperating Sean Bell protesters and will not accept a deal from the Manhattan DA: “His legal team was not willing to accept the district attorney’s offer for Mr. Sharpton to avoid jail time or fines by pleading guilty. (Disorderly conduct is a violation, not a crime, and would not result in a criminal record.) So the case was put off to July 28 while Mr. Sharpton’s lawyers try to negotiate a better deal.” |NYT|
The strip joint where Sean Bell celebrated his bachelor’s party before being brutally killed in a hail of 50 bullets by undercover cops in the parking lot was closed due to Health Department violations. The place had already lost its liquor license, and was recently hit with the new violations: “Club Kalua was cited by the Health Department for a number of violations on June 6, including evidence of mice, unsanitary food surfaces and misplaced safety signs.” The police will just have to find another “jiggle joint” to stakeout and scout for future murder victims. |NYP|
“The Brooklyn district attorney, Charles J. Hynes, announced on Tuesday that his office was prepared to drop all charges against 28 people arrested on May 7 in connection with protests against the acquittals of the officers charged in the shooting death of Sean Bell.” They will receive an ACOD and if they stay out of trouble for six months, the charges will be dismissed. |NYT|
Al Sharpton On Scott McCllelan Book: Impeach George Bush!
While attending the Critical Mass rally this past Friday, a very familiar face made his way through the fidgety crowd: Reverend Al Sharpton. He was there to discuss police brutality, continuing his campaign to publicize the Sean Bell case among throngs of disinterested cyclists who were clearly more concerned with riding their bikes than hearing speeches. But before he made his way to the podium, I was able to get Sharpton’s attention just long enough to get a comment about former White House press puppet, Scott McClellan’s new ‘Bush is a forgetful cokehead‘ book. The off camera lead question was about his first impression it, to which he quickly responded “It’s about seven years too late.” I then followed up with some awkwardly worded questions about whether McClellan is a coward, should Bush be impeached and who has the “balls “guts” to make that happen, prompting Sharpton to joke about the tongue twisted wording. At a little over 20 seconds long, it quite possibly could be one of the shortest piece of amateur citizen journalism ever documented.
Although the surging popularity of track bikes has often been compared to skateboarding, looks like the two share even more in common. |Trackosaurusrex|
Al Sharpton and crew were arrested for blocking traffic after thoroughly closing the 59th Street Bridge during planned civil disobedience rallies. |Gothamist|
Hovie talks Vietnam and war footage, explains his choice of imagery for concerts. |Radar|
Dealbreaker unveils the appropriate ad for Citibank’s “Citi Never Sleeps” tagline. |Dealbreaker|
Help put an end to squirrel murder in Astoria. |QueensCrap|
If you’re looking to raise awareness about the murder of Sean Bell, but would never pick up a can of paint or just aren’t into marching with Reverend Al, here’s your chance. This ‘I Could Have Been Sean Bell’ tee were created by a copywriter-art director duo who work at a major NYC ad agency. Clearly upset with the verdict the day they heard it, these two got cracking and posted this design on Cafepress by Friday night, with this product description: “How long will the reckless behavior of the NYPD go unpunished?” ANIMAL got in touch with the copywriter half, Michael Abdul-Qawi, who promised to give all his proceeds to the Bell family—assuming he can get in touch with them. Considering that it’s police department policy to kill unarmed black guys, we asked Abdul-Qawi how appropriate or relevant this would be for whites and other non-blacks to wear. For him, it’s not a problem at all, “If someone did wear it, I would take it as just showing their displeasure with the verdict and outcome of the trial. It’s more of an act of symbolism than anything else.” Get yours here.
On his radio show this afternoon, Al Sharpton described the wholesale acquittal of the three Sean Bell slay cops as an “abortion of justuce,” noting how a “miscarriage” is involuntary. The reverend claims this bad verdict was deliberate. He went on to promise that his supporters will shut the city down—by non-violent means of course. He’s asking people to sign up for his “brigade.”
Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Photo: |I SMOKE SOUR EVERY HALF N HOUR|
Considering that the cops who killed wallet-toting immigrant Amadou Diallo got away scott free despite a hail of 41 bullets, it’s not too surprising that all three of the police officers involved in the 2006 shooting of Sean Bell were also acquitted of all charges this morning. More than 50 shots were fired at the unarmed groom-to-be, who was wrapping up bachelor party celebrations with friends in Jamaica, Queens. This highly explosive case is sure to ignite more protests and most likely more graffiti. See what’s already been written on the street after the jump. |NPR|
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