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US grand jury to rule on fatal NYC shooting case | US grand jury to rule on fatal NYC shooting case |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A US grand jury will be asked to decide whether to prosecute a New York police officer over the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man in Brooklyn. | A US grand jury will be asked to decide whether to prosecute a New York police officer over the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man in Brooklyn. |
Akai Gurley was shot in the chest after he entered the stairwell of his apartment building last month. | Akai Gurley was shot in the chest after he entered the stairwell of his apartment building last month. |
The decision comes days after a grand jury opted against charging a New York policeman in the chokehold death of another unarmed black man, Eric Garner. | The decision comes days after a grand jury opted against charging a New York policeman in the chokehold death of another unarmed black man, Eric Garner. |
The decision has sparked protests across the country. | The decision has sparked protests across the country. |
The US was already facing race-related unrest over the decision not to indict a white police officer who had shot dead a young black man, Michael Brown, in Ferguson, Missouri. | |
In New York City on Friday, protesters briefly laid down in Macy's flagship store, at Grand Central Terminal and at an Apple store. | |
Hundreds streamed along Fifth Avenue and other parts of Manhattan, with banners and chants of "Black lives matter" and "I can't breathe" - a reference to the words of Eric Garner as he was being restrained by a white police officer. | |
In other protests on Friday: | |
Protests were also held in other US cities including Chicago, Washington, Denver, and Boston. | |
Meanwhile, a memorial service was held for 28-year-old Akai Gurley in New York ahead of his funeral on Saturday. | |
At an earlier news conference, his mother tearfully demanded justice for her son. | |
Speaking alongside her, Kevin Powell, president of the advocacy group BK Nation, called the shooting part of a "series of modern-day lynchings". | Speaking alongside her, Kevin Powell, president of the advocacy group BK Nation, called the shooting part of a "series of modern-day lynchings". |
In announcing the grand jury - a body that determines whether to bring criminal charges - Brooklyn's District Attorney Ken Thompson said it was important to conduct a full and fair investigation. | In announcing the grand jury - a body that determines whether to bring criminal charges - Brooklyn's District Attorney Ken Thompson said it was important to conduct a full and fair investigation. |
Police say Mr Gurley and his girlfriend had opened a door into the unlit stairway and an inexperienced officer on a routine patrol fired his gun. | Police say Mr Gurley and his girlfriend had opened a door into the unlit stairway and an inexperienced officer on a routine patrol fired his gun. |
New York Police Commissioner William Bratton called the shooting an accident. However, the medical examiner has ruled that the death is a homicide. | New York Police Commissioner William Bratton called the shooting an accident. However, the medical examiner has ruled that the death is a homicide. |
Civil rights leader the Reverend Al Sharpton had initially planned to speak at Mr Gurley's memorial service but later said he would pay his respects without making an address. | Civil rights leader the Reverend Al Sharpton had initially planned to speak at Mr Gurley's memorial service but later said he would pay his respects without making an address. |
Akai Gurley | Akai Gurley |
UN human rights experts earlier expressed "legitimate concerns" about US grand juries failing to charge the two policemen involved in the deaths of Mr Garner and Mr Brown. | UN human rights experts earlier expressed "legitimate concerns" about US grand juries failing to charge the two policemen involved in the deaths of Mr Garner and Mr Brown. |
In a statement, UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Rita Izsak, said it was part of a broader "pattern of impunity" concerning minority victims. | In a statement, UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Rita Izsak, said it was part of a broader "pattern of impunity" concerning minority victims. |
Following the outcry over the Garner case, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered the city's 22,000-strong police force to be retrained in how to better communicate and remain calm when making arrests. They will also be fitted with body cameras. | Following the outcry over the Garner case, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered the city's 22,000-strong police force to be retrained in how to better communicate and remain calm when making arrests. They will also be fitted with body cameras. |
US President Barack Obama welcomed the move and said "too many Americans feel deep unfairness" in how the laws were applied. | US President Barack Obama welcomed the move and said "too many Americans feel deep unfairness" in how the laws were applied. |
Activists have called for another march in Washington on 13 December, followed by a summit on civil rights. | Activists have called for another march in Washington on 13 December, followed by a summit on civil rights. |