New Yorkers are gathering again today, calling for immediate action in
the police shooting death of Amadou Diallo.
A group called "Citywide Coalition for Justice" will hold a rally at
City Hall Park this afternoon. Among those expected to take part in the
rally are the Reverend Calvin Butts and relatives of people killed by
police.
Diallo was unarmed when he was shot at 41 times by police officers
looking for a rape suspect in the Bronx more than two weeks ago.
Brooklyn was the setting for another vigil for Diallo Sunday. The
Reverend Hezekiah Walker of Brooklyn's Love Fellowship Tabernacle led
his congregation across the Brooklyn Bridge to One Police Plaza in
Manhattan.
Diallo was also remembered in a rally in the Bronx. Members of Community
Board 9 held a "Dignity and Respect" rally at East Tremont Avenue and
White Plains Road.
The Reverend Al Sharpton has announced plans for two more rallies. One
is set for Wednesday in front of the Bronx County Courthouse, where the
grand jury is meeting on the case. The other will take place on Wall
Street March 3rd.
Meanwhile, two of the four police officers involved in the shooting say
they will most likely not be telling their stories to the grand jury
investigating the case.
Sean Carroll's attorney, Marvyn Kornberg, says his client will not
testify because political pressure makes indictment a certainty anyway.
Kornberg says there will be an indictment because, "If nothing
else, it will save the city."
Steven Worth, the attorney for Officer Edward McMellon, says there's a
good chance his client will choose not to testify this week. Worth also
says he is concerned about the active role the Justice Department is
taking in the investigation.
Attorney's for Officers Kenneth Boss and Richard Murphy say they have
not made a decision yet on whether their clients will testify.