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Sharpton Arrested In Citywide 'Slowdown' Protests

More Than 200 Taken Into Custody As Protesters Block City Streets, Bridges Over Sean Bell Verdict

Gov. Paterson To Meet With Sharpton, Bells Thursday

NEW YORK (CBS) ― The Rev. Al Sharpton and more than 200 others were arrested Wednesday amid a series of protests throughout the city, part of a response to the acquittals of three New York City undercover detectives in the 50-shot killing of Sean Bell.

Hundreds took to the streets in Manhattan and Brooklyn as part of the citywide "slowdown" effort led by Sharpton and his National Action Network. Police arrested those who took part in acts of civil disobedience by blocking the streets and entrances to the Triborough, Manhattan, and Brooklyn bridges.

Sharpton was arrested without incident at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge, along with Bell's fiancé, Nicole Paultre Bell, and the two shooting victims who survived, Trent Benefield and Joseph Guzman.

Bell's parents were also arrested.

They were all released from police custody about four hours later, said Sharpton's spokeswoman Rachel Noerdlinger.

Hoping to avoid future instances of civil disobedience, Gov. David Paterson is scheduled to meet privately with Sharpton and the Bell family on Thursday in New York City.

The governor had expressed surprise at last month's acquittal because of the number of shots fired.

One of the arrested protesters told CBS 2 HD  on Wednesday the protests go far beyond Bell's death alone.

"We have to stand up for something or we'll fall for anything. It's not just about Sean Bell, it's about every man that's been injustly killed in America," he said. "The point to make to the people is to get their attention. It could be their son tomorrow or their daughter tomorrow."

Police estimate about 216 people were taken into custody overall.

The rallies are aimed at putting pressure on federal authorities to bring civil rights charges against the officers in the Bell case. The three were acquitted of all charges in a Queens court last month.

Simultaneous protests that started at 3 p.m. are being held in six key transit areas in the city, including:

• Site A: 125th and Third Avenue (led by W. Franklyn Richardson, Chairman of National Action Network) 
• Site B: Third Avenue and 60th Street (Led by National Action Network senior staff) 
• Site C: 34th and Park Avenue (Led by National Action Network Senior Staff)
• Site D: Varick and Houston Street (Led by Hazel Dukes, NAACP and Labor leaders)
• Site E: One Police Plaza (Led by Rev. Al Sharpton. Nicole Paultre Bell, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield will be at this location) 
• Site F: House of the Lord Church, Brooklyn, New York (Led by Rev. Herbert Daughtry)  – five in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn.

 Click to view a map of the protest locations.

Crowds of several hundreds of people clogged each designated protest spot, causing massive traffic headaches. The protests are expected to continue through the evening rush hour. 

Carol Taylor told CBS 2 HD that she planned on attending.

"I was America's first black flight attendant," Taylor said. "I'm 76-and-a-half years old and I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."

Sharpton warned people to look for demonstrators to be on their knees, getting arrested. "If you're not going to lock up the guilty in this town, I guess you have to lock up the innocent," he said.

The acts of civil disobedience are designed to get the attention of local and federal officials who have the power to pick up where Judge Arthur Cooperman's verdict left off. Protesters want the acquitted NYPD officers --  Michael Oliver, Gescard Isnora, and Marc Cooper -- to face additional sanctions.

That means pushing for both federal civil rights and NYPD departmental charges.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city is prepared for the demonstrations.

"It's another example of people being able to protest in New York City," he said. "But everybody can rest assured we will enforce the law."

Last week demonstrators tied up traffic outside Madison Square Garden. Bell's relatives are also expected to join in the demonstrations. 

(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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