Sharpton Plots Justice for Sean Bell

The Rev. Al Sharpton has convened a strategy session to plan the community's response to the verdict in the Sean Bell case. The participants included Bell's parents, shooting victims Trent Benefield and Joseph Guzman, Bell's fiancée, Nicole Paultre Bell, as well as local and state elected officials, and civil rights, church and community leaders.

The meeting was held at the headquarters of Services Employees International Union Local 1199. Union President George Gresham expressed his outrage that the police officers were acquitted on all charges, saying:

How do you tell your son to be leery of the police but at the same time go to the police when you need help?

Sharpton promised:

There will be several actions within the next 10 days. These policemen should know they have not, I repeat not, closed this case.

The actions may include boycotts and civil disobedience. While a consensus is being developed on short-term and long term strategies, there's unanimity that the judge's verdict cannot stand. African American leaders will continue to pressure Congress and the Justice Department to bring federal charges.

One participant noted the candidate of "change," Barack Obama, would have the black community accept an unjust verdict:

We're a nation of laws, so we respect the verdict that came down. Resorting to violence to express displeasure over a verdict is something that is completely unacceptable and is counterproductive.

Never mind that in the sixteen months since Bell was killed, all the protests have been peaceful. The response makes one wonder whether an Obama Justice Department would simply say, "Case closed."

A blogger recently wrote:

A dear friend of mine, who is a big Obama supporter, said to me, "Why not state the relations between the police and communities of color MUST change? I'm afraid that if he were President, it would be more of the same. He will be constantly trying to prove that can appeal to whites, without being too black. Obama should not take Black folks for granted.

By contrast, Hillary Clinton has called for a federal investigation:

This tragedy has deeply saddened New Yorkers - and all Americans. My thoughts are with Nicole and her children and the rest of Sean's family during this difficult time. The court has given its verdict, and now we await the conclusion of a Department of Justice civil rights investigation. We must also embrace this opportunity to take steps - in our communities, in our law enforcement agencies, and in our government - to make sure this does not happen again.

The struggle continues.