Press Releases

Press conference at NAN regarding Federal government decision not to prosecute officers in Sean Bell case

WHO

NICOLE PAULTRE BELL

TRENT BENEFIELD

JOE GUZMAN

ATTORNEY MICHAEL HARDY

ATTORNEY SANFORD RUBENSTEIN

WHAT: PRESS CONFERENCE AT NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK (106 West 145 Street @ Lenox)

WHEN: TODAY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2010 – 3:00 P.M.

STATEMENT FROM REV. AL SHARPTON

“I talked to Attorney General Eric Holder this morning who informed me that after a lengthy investigation, the Justice Department has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to pursue federal charges against the policemen in the shooting of Sean Bell, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield.

I expressed to him my extreme disappointment in the decision and our legal advisors saw the evidence and federal jurisdiction differently. We agreed, however, that the family and community must continue to bring a new day in how we deal with police matters and how both community residents and police are protected equally under the law.

I am in Miami where I am keynoting the national conference of national Black churches but will be meeting with the family and their attorneys upon my return tomorrow to pursue internal NYPD proceedings and the civil lawsuit to try and bring some justice to Sean Bell’s children and family, and Joe Guzman and Trent Benefield whom I still feel had their civil rights violated. After meeting with them we will lay out our specific strategies going forward.

Even though two of the three officers in question were Black we will not stop our pursuit of justice in this matter until every measure in the criminal and civil arena has been exhausted. Fifty shots on an unarmed man who engaged in no crime is intolerable”

Reverend Al Sharpton, President of National Action Network