Rest without Peace: the injustice of Sean Bell
This picture says it all about the American justice system.
On Friday, April 25, the justice was denied for Sean Bell, an unarmed 23 year-old New Yorker who was shot 50 times by uncovered cops in November 2006. The judge decided to acquit all three NYPD offices of all the charges. For some, it was a day of joy and celebration especially the police. But for others, it was a day of unfair justice.
The court’s decision to free the three officers was a clear sign that it was okay to shot someone 50 times and still able to get away with it. Imagine if these cops were civilians like me and you, I’m pretty sure that they will be put to jail and probably on death row. Sometimes, I wondered what went through the judge’s mind to think that shooting an unarmed man 50 times was not an act of murder. For the defense, self-defense excuse did not add up. How you can call it a self-defense after shooting Bell 50 times? It was murder.
Also, I don’t understand how can Obama and Clinton have the nerves to tell us that they respect the decision of the court! To me, they simply just don’t want to get involved in this conversation and police brutality. Just because we have police to protect us from danger, it doesn’t mean that they can abuse their power to do whatever they please. What this New York judge is doing to these three cops is pretty much telling them ”Hey, you, cops, are above the law. I will do whatever I can as a judge to protect you.” Politicians must address the issue of police brutality. It can’t be ignored!
Like others, I think the three cops and other cops who involved in the shooting should be punished and removed from their jobs. Cops are civilians. They are humans like us. They should be punished and treated like other criminals. You just don’t defend yourself from unarmed man with 50 gun shots.
Sean Bell will, for now, rest without peace as his family continues to fight for him. I hope that the federal Supreme Court will pick up this case and deliver the verdict I look for…”GUILTY”
April 28, 2008 at 3:49 am
This is not a race issue. Two of the police officers were black anyway. Plus, I do feel that if Sean Bell was white, that racist hypocrite Sharpton wouldn’t have a word to say and I promise you that. When an officer hears gunfire going off, he’s gonna keep shooting. It either kill or be killed and they felt their lives were in danger from the actions of those involved. They do not know which direction the shots are coming from. This is a mess of an incident and I feel the guys who risk their lives everyday for the sake of others deserve the upmost respect from everyone.
April 28, 2008 at 3:54 am
1 more thing. This judge is not saying “Hey cops, ur above the law” He has had cases where he has actually placed police behind bars. As for the cops, If I were one and I heard someone say let me get my gun (and dont say thats a lie because you werent there and you wouldnt know) I wouldnt walk up to the car ( which they hit a cop with and a police behicle btw) and ask, “hey fellahs…just walking up to you in order to put my life in danger, ummm wondering if you really do have a gun”