On Friday, 3 of the 5 police officers involved in the shooting of 3 unarmed men in Queens, resulting in the death of Sean Bell, were formally indicted on charges ranging from manslaughter to reckless endangerment.  Although community members here are relieved that indictments were at least served, many are expressing dismay at the reduced charges on which the officers were indicted.  Officers open-fired 50 shots on Bell and his two friends in the cold Jamaica air that night in December.

Today, a coalition of community organizations known as People’s Justice organized a rally and march protesting the ongoing crisis of police brutality that is affecting people of color and immigrants in the New York City.  Assembling a significant crowd, we gathered in Union Square and then proceeded to march down Broadway—and actually took over the street.  As we passed the bustling shopping districts of mid- and downtown Manhattan, pedestrians stopped, stared, took pictures on their cell phones, some even raising their fists in solidarity.

The indictments are a first step.  Let’s hope this is not a repeat of Amadou Diallo or the countless other incidents of police brutality that resulted in injustice.