By Richard J. McIntire
The NAACP is expressing its outrage at the verdict issued earlier today by New York State Supreme Court Justice Arthur J. Cooperman in the police shooting death of Sean Bell.
The NAACP demands that the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division follow through on its reported monitoring of the case and launch a thorough investigation.
"For us, this case raises the overwhelming concern that New York City Police are often out of control," said New York State Conference NAACP President Hazel N. Dukes. "Where was the threat to the police? There was no need for so many shots to have been fired under the circumstances. The police need to protect and respect our community. The legal system is not living up to justice and fair play. To acquit on all charges is inconceivable and unacceptable. This verdict does not sit well with the NAACP."
The New York State Conference NAACP is planning a Day of Mourning and other reconciliation activities in wake of the verdict.
"This is the latest glaring example of court decisions that appear to endorse legally-sanctioned violence against African Americans," said NAACP Interim General Counsel Angela Ciccolo. "It is high time for all people to wake up and demand an end to senseless violence by police officers against African Americans."
As the court's review of this case tragically illustrates, the statutes that govern the use of deadly force by law enforcement entities are woefully inadequate. As such, the NAACP also calls on Congress to hold hearings on use of force policies and The Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act, as crafted by Michigan Rep. John Conyers.
Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its more than half-million adult and youth members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities and monitors of equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.
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