The death of an African immigrant shot dead by four New York City police officers has provoked nation-wide outrage and fierce criticism of New York's tough crime fighting tactics.

Jane Hughes: "There is widespread feeling that the policy of zero tolerance has gone too far"

Twenty-two-year-old Amadou Diallo came to the Bronx two years ago in search of the American dream.

That dream ended on his doorstep when he was shot down in a volley of 41 bullets. He was unarmed but the officers involved say they thought he was reaching for a gun.

Stephen Worth, the officers' lawyer, said: "They feel terrible that this man is dead, they feel justified in the actions that they took and they hope that they don't become victims of anyone's agenda and that justice is done."

Amadou Diallo: In search of the American dream

A grand jury has been considering whether the officers involved should be charged.

There was anger and outrage from a crowd gathered outside the courthouse demanding justice. They believe the gunshots that killed Diallo could just as easily have been fired at them.

The people are of one mind - that the officers are members of a police force where brutality and racism are endemic.

One demonstrator said: "Here we are going into a new century and when are they going to respect us? I think we are all created equal. I have five boys and three girls and injustice to him is injustice to them."

The scars left by some of the 41 bullets

It was the fifth big demonstration in protest at the shooting of Amadou Diallo. Though there has been public anger at cases of alleged police brutality before, the outrage has never been quite so acute.

There is a widespread feeling that Mayor Giuliani's policy of zero tolerance even of minor crimes has gone too far and that the police may be getting out of control.