Trial Begins for Sharpton, Other Sean Bell Verdict Demonstrators

Today, the Reverend Al Sharpton and others who demonstrated in a number of civil disobedience events around the city back in May went to court for the start of a non-jury trial. They were protesting the acquittals of three police detectives who fired 50 shots at unarmed Sean Bell and killed him in 2006, and Sharpton, who had promised to shut the city down by organizing the protests at bridges and tunnels, was arrested on May 7. Sharpton, who rejected an offer to plead guilty for time served (he was held for 5 1/2 hours), said, "We wanted to stop violence, not cause violence."