Federal probe required into the shooting death of Sean Bell

An earnest and respectful request that the US Attorney General commence a federal probe of the shooting death of Sean Bell, and the subsequent astonishing and distresssing acquittal of the NYPD officers responsible for Sean Bell's untimely and violent death. 

We, the undersigned do, hereby, affirm our astonishment and distress regarding the acquittal of the several NYPD officers whom we believe to be solely, and totally responsible for precipitating and initiating the events, and the violence that resulted in the untimely and violent death of Sean Bell. 




In this case, the judicial system of the State of New York has once again failed not only the 3.5 million blacks residing in New York State, but has also failed the 40.2 million blacks residing in the United States.   




The specious, disparate and adverse dispensation of justice so widely, and consistently experienced by blacks and latinos in New York State, and the United States, remains a serious public and social issue along with specious and disparate health care, and specious and disparate allocation of funding for the public schools, especially in urban school districts.   




Young black men and women, have a right to live, and should not have their lives abruptly and violently ended by police officers, all too many of whom routinely look upon and treat Black and Latino communities collectively as Public Enemy Number One.



Sean Bell, age 23, on the day that he expected to establish a new family was not given the opportunity to realize that goal.  He had broken no laws, had not violently resisted arrest, had not attempted to injure anyone identifying himself as a police officer, but was shot to death by representatives of the very institution that we entrust and expect to protect and defend us with professionalism, courtesy and respect. 



It remains our view that the use of such deadly force in this particular situation was excessive even though, somehow, permissible by NPYD standards.  



The acquitting of the police officers who were charged in the shooting death of Sean Bell, by Judge Cooperman sends a message that is loud and clear: the lives of young black men and women are simply not valued.



We earnestly and respectfully request that a federal probe of these events by the US Attorney be commenced.  



We request also that our community leaders, state representatives, congressmen and congresswomen lead the charge in demanding justice regarding the Sean Bell case. 



The community and the civilian authorities in government must hold accountable all persons in law enforcement who commit unwarranted and unreasonable acts of aggression and the use of deadly force on innocent black and latino men and women in New York State and the United States of America.




We know that police service is a dangerous job, but we must remember that those who enter that service volunteer to accept the risk.  The assumption of that risk, however, does not confer upon any of them the right to disregard their legitimate professional training, their best judgment and common sense.

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