May 1, 2008 7:21 am US/Eastern
Sean Bell Protesters Clog Midtown During Rally
Reporting
Jay Dow
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Protesters angry over the acquittal of three detectives in the shooting of Sean Bell are planning more demonstrations after a large gathering outside Madison Square Garden Wednesday clogged midtown traffic.
The usual chants of "What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!" were heard at the latest Sean Bell rally. But organizers also took a different approach by intentionally not applying for a city permit for Wednesday's rally.
Dozens of people marched down Seventh Avenue, as part of the ongoing effort to demonstrate an unrelenting displeasure with the verdicts, and a willingness to disrupt the city with peaceful demonstrations of civil disobedience.
"Our young people are afraid and very concerned about what transpired last Friday, when a judge could say it's alright to kill black and latinos," a protester told reporters.
Community leaders, ministers, union leaders, and Sean Bell's family have been meeting for days, strategizing on how many protests to hold and where.
"You got quite a consortium of leaders. And you got to allow everybody to have expression, suggestions and then they'll develop in consensus," said Rev. John Scott.
"I like it because it's going to be organized. Not that violent stuff - everybody doing their own thing," added Sean Bell's father, William Bell. "You're doing it for one purpose. Change the laws for everyone - for all the kids.""
While organizers have not shut down the city as they threatened, they promise to hold more protests and rallies.
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