Protests over NY police shooting

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Thousands of people have protested in New York over the police shooting of an unarmed black man on his wedding day.

Sean Bell was killed on 25 November when officers opened fire as he left a strip club where he had spent his stag night celebrations.

Demonstrators counted to 50 to mark the number of shots fired by the officers, as they marched through the city.

Trent Benefield, 23, who was injured in the shooting, led the crowd which also included politicians and clergy.

'Shopping for justice'

Mr Benefield led marchers from his wheelchair through New York's Manhattan district on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Sean Bell was shot dead by police officers on 25 NovemberOrganisers said they intended the march, dubbed "Shopping for Justice", to contrast the killing of 23-year-old Sean Bell with the Christmas holiday spending spree.

"We're not coming to buy toys, we're not coming to buy trinkets - we're coming to shop for justice," said civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton, one of the event's organisers.

"Our presence is a bigger statement than anything we could ever say with our mouths."

Police fired 50 bullets at Mr Bell's car after it reportedly struck an unmarked police vehicle.

Two of his friends - Trent Benefield and Joseph Guzman - were hurt in the shooting, which officials say was due to police fears of an armed "altercation".

No weapons were found on the three men or in their car.

Five officers have been placed on leave during an inquiry into the shooting.