People News

Rev. Al Sharpton arrested

By M&C People May 8, 2008, 3:05 GMT

Al Sharpton - © Jay Kravetz / PR Photos

Rev. Al Sharpton and others were arrested on Wednesday for stopping traffic to protest the acquittal of policemen who killed an unarmed Sean Bell with 50 shots on his wedding day.

The civil rights leader was joined by hundreds as they interrupted rush-hour traffic at bridges and tunnels around New York City.

A police spokesperson said "a couple dozen" people were arrested.

The civil disobedience was organized on behalf of the Bell family, after a state judge cleared two detectives of manslaughter and a third of reckless endangerment in the death of Sean Bell.

Bell's fiancee and two of his friends who survived the shooting were arrested along with Sharpton during the peaceful protest.

"We are holding you all under arrest for disorderly conduct," police announced before handcuffing Sharpton and at least 30 other people. They put up little or no resistance as they were led to police vans, cuffed by plastic strips.

"We are all Sean Bell" the demonstrators shouted according to Reuters.

The Justice Department, federal prosecutors and the FBI are also reviewing the Bell case and will take action if investigators suspect a violation of federal civil rights laws occurred.