In the aftermath of the not guilty verdict for three New York City police officers who shot and killed Sean Bell in November 2006, protests across the city will occur over the next couple of weeks and Bell's fiancee will be at the front.
"Every march, every rally, I'm going to be right up front," Paultre Bell said, breaking her silence for the first time since the cops were cleared Friday.
"The justice system let me down," Paultre Bell said, her voice strong, her message clear. "They killed Sean all over again. That's what it felt like to us."
Her commitment echoed a vow made a day earlier by Sean Bell's father. At his son's graveside shortly after the verdict was read, William Bell gave his consent "to shut this city down" through a series of nonviolent protests.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, who introduced Paultre Bell at Saturday's rally, said a massive citywide demonstration would occur within the next two weeks.
Bell was killed when 50 shots were fired at his car, including 31 by one officer who reloaded in the process.
The three officers were found not guilty on all charges, which included manslaughter and reckless endangerment. |
