NY1: Rev. Al Sharpton & Sean Bell's Fiancee Arrested

May 07, 2008 The Reverend Al Sharpton and Sean Bell's fiancée were arrested along with about over 200 protesters shortly after 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, as they blocked traffic on Park Row by the entry of the Brooklyn Bridge in Lower Manhattan. According to police authorities, the over 200 arrests were part of a coordinated campaign organized by Sharpton to urge federal authorities to investigate Bell's shooting by detectives more than two years ago. Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield, who were injured during that shooting, joined Sharpton and Bell's fiancée, Nicole Paultre Bell, lined up and peacefully put their hands behind their backs as police put plastic handcuffs on them. Sharpton and Bell were placed in a police vehicle. Late Wednesday night, some demonstrators told NY1 that the protests would be weekly, but there was no official confirmation of such strategies. On Wednesday, protesters started to gather for pray-ins and acts of civil disobedience at 3 p.m. at several locations around the city. The gathering areas are all located near key transportation points, including the Triborough and Brooklyn Bridges, and the Midtown and Holland Tunnels. The demonstrations were mostly peaceful, and no injuries resulted. Protesters gathered with the intention of forcing arrests to draw attention to what they consider a miscarriage of justice in the Bell trial. “If the guilty are not going to be arrested, then the innocent will be, and they will continue to be until these officers are prosecuted under the law,” said Michael Hardy, attorney for the shooting victims, echoing words Sharpton said on Saturday. "I appreciate them," said Bell's mother, Valerie Bell. "That they're really concerned, for it could have been them. It could have been their child." Late Wednesday night, as the arrested were released on bail, many stayed outside to cheer on their fellow protesters as they left police headquarters. "I said today would be the city's slowdown before the shutdown," said Sharp...