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Diallo protesters demand action
Veiled demonstrators mourn the slain man
Protesters in New York have demanded social justice and law enforcement reforms after the acquittal of four white policemen on charges of murdering an unarmed West African man.
Some 2,000 people took part in a peaceful demonstration outside the United Nations headquarters on Sunday, and later led an impromptu march through midtown Manhattan.
Some 2,000 people took part in a peaceful demonstration outside the United Nations headquarters on Sunday, and later led an impromptu march through midtown Manhattan.
 Protest leaders plan another rally in Washington
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Amadou Diallo was shot 19 times by the four policemen as he stood at the entrance of his Bronx apartment. The officers said they mistook the wallet he had taken from his pocket for a gun.
Some in the crowd wore signs reading: "Go ahead and shoot. I'm black so it must be justified".
Others waved their wallets and shouted at police monitoring the march: "Don't shoot. It's a wallet not a gun".
The black activist, the Reverend Al Sharpton, urged the federal government to intervene.
Some in the crowd wore signs reading: "Go ahead and shoot. I'm black so it must be justified".
Others waved their wallets and shouted at police monitoring the march: "Don't shoot. It's a wallet not a gun".
The black activist, the Reverend Al Sharpton, urged the federal government to intervene.
I'm not saying it's a happy verdict  |
Juror Helen Harder
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"I have the right to stand on my stoop [doorstep]. I have the right to look down my block.
"I have the right not to be a suspect because of the colour of my skin or the address I live at," Rev Sharpton said.
The organisers of the protest are planning a large rally in Washington later this week.
Police reported no arrests. But around 100 people were arrested on Saturday during a series of street protests and marches held in reaction to Friday's verdict.
'In danger'
The officers, in their evidence to the court, had insisted they believed they were in danger.
"I have the right not to be a suspect because of the colour of my skin or the address I live at," Rev Sharpton said.
The organisers of the protest are planning a large rally in Washington later this week.
Police reported no arrests. But around 100 people were arrested on Saturday during a series of street protests and marches held in reaction to Friday's verdict.
'In danger'
The officers, in their evidence to the court, had insisted they believed they were in danger.
 Amadou Diallo: Unarmed
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They said it was dark, and that Mr Diallo ignored orders to halt for questioning.
Juror Helen Harder, 71, told Associated Press that the case had "turned out the only way it could turn out."
"I'm not saying it's a happy verdict. I know the cops are happy. None of (the jurors) are very happy. But that's the way it worked out.
The judge instructed jurors that if they concluded that the officers "reasonably believed" Mr Diallo was armed and dangerous, they must acquit.
Juror Helen Harder, 71, told Associated Press that the case had "turned out the only way it could turn out."
"I'm not saying it's a happy verdict. I know the cops are happy. None of (the jurors) are very happy. But that's the way it worked out.
The judge instructed jurors that if they concluded that the officers "reasonably believed" Mr Diallo was armed and dangerous, they must acquit.
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