Eighteen years after the death of Amadou Diallo––an unarmed 23-year-old college student from Liberia who was fatally shot by police officials in the doorway of his Bronx apartment building––his family has turned their tragedy into triumph by using the young man’s legacy as an avenue to combat police brutality and advocate for education.
Diallo’s loved ones, politicians, civil rights advocates, and the mothers of individuals who have fallen victim to police brutality, gathered Thursday at the Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem for the second annual Amadou Diallo Foundation benefit dinner.
The event, hosted to raise scholarship funds for promising students, celebrated Diallo’s legacy and honored individuals who were instrumental in fighting for justice for Diallo and others who lost their lives at the hands of police officers. ABC reporter A.J. Ross served as the MC. Among those honored included former New York City mayor David Dinkins, former Rep. Charles Rangel, and Rev. Al Sharpton.
“Through the 18 years, you’ve supported us; not only my family, but many others after Amadou,” said Diallo’s mother Kadiatou Diallo. “Thank you for letting the community know that you are the shoulders in which we can stand on in a time of crisis.”
During the dinner, the award recipients, who were on the front lines fighting for Diallo’s family, recounted the sacrifices they made for the sake of justice. Dinkins, Rangel, and Sharpton all shared their experiences during the 1999 demonstrations at One Police Plaza following Diallo’s death, during which scores of people were apprehended.
The Rev. Sharpton delved into how pivotal it was for Dinkins to participate in the protests and risk being arrested. “He knew that if he made that statement, it would resonate all over the world. Because he sacrificed, the world stopped and had to deal with police brutality,” said Sharpton.
Grammy-nominated soul vocalist Aloe Blacc delivered a powerful live performance. He says he wants to use his music as a way to show the younger generation how they can utilize their art for social change.
Although the event was celebratory, keynote speaker Dr. Steve Perry, Head of Capital Preparatory Schools, ended the evening on a serious note as he touched on the current political climate, the state of race relations in America, and the strained relationship between law enforcement officials and communities of color.
“Tonight, we’re here to celebrate the life of a man who racism killed. The same racism that has elected this President; internalized and positioned in such a way that it’s become a cancer that has us thinking that we can’t even trust each other,” said Dr. Perry. “We’re here today to give comfort to a family that has lost someone that they love; whose life was cut short by violence. We’ve got to get tired of this; so tired that we change and make it so that this is a rare occasion.”
Those in attendance included the father of Sean Bell, William Bell, and the mother of Eric Garner, Gwen Carr.
SEE ALSO:
‘Heal Our Communities:’ Amadou Diallo’s Legacy Celebrated In Harlem
Watch Sankofa’s Powerful Message Against Police Brutality Featuring Michael B. Jordan
47 Black Men And Boys Killed By Police
47 Black Men And Boys Killed By Police
1. Botham Shem Jean, 26
1 of 472. Antwon Rose Jr., 17
2 of 473. Robert Lawrence White, 41
3 of 474. Anthony Lamar Smith, 24
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5. Ramarley Graham, 18
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6. Manuel Loggins Jr., 31
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7. Trayvon Martin, 17
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8. Wendell Allen, 20
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9. Kendrec McDade, 19
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10. Larry Jackson Jr., 32
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11. Jonathan Ferrell, 24
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12. Jordan Baker, 26
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13. Victor White lll, 22
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14. Dontre Hamilton, 31
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15. Eric Garner, 43
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16. John Crawford lll, 22
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17. Michael Brown, 18
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18. Ezell Ford, 25
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19. Dante Parker, 36
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20. Kajieme Powell, 25
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21. Laquan McDonald, 17
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22. Akai Gurley, 28
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23. Tamir Rice, 12
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24. Rumain Brisbon, 34
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25. Jerame Reid, 36
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26. Charly Keunang, 43
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27. Tony Robinson, 19
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28. Walter Scott, 50
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29. Freddie Gray, 25
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30. Brendon Glenn, 29
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31. Samuel DuBose, 43
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32. Christian Taylor, 19
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33. Jamar Clark, 24
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34. Mario Woods, 26
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35. Quintonio LeGrier, 19
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36. Gregory Gunn, 58
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37. Akiel Denkins, 24
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38. Alton Sterling, 37
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39. Philando Castile, 32
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40. Terrence Sterling, 31
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41. Terence Crutcher, 40
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42. Keith Lamont Scott, 43
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43. Alfred Olango, 38
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44. Jordan Edwards, 15
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45. Stephon Clark, 22
45 of 4746. Danny Ray Thomas, 34
46 of 4747. DeJuan Guillory, 27
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Continue reading 47 Black Men And Boys Killed By Police
47 Black Men And Boys Killed By Police
UPDATED: 11:14 a.m. EDT, Sept. 11, 2018 -- The troubling trend of police killing unarmed Black people has shown no signs of letting up, with the latest instance in Dallas reimagining what a police shooting can be. Off-duty Dallas police officer Amber Guyger shot and killed Botham Shem Jean after she entered his apartment Thursday, Sept. 6. Guyger's story has changed multiple times in less than a week since the shooting, and it would appear that the so-called blue wall was trying to protect her. Jean's shooting came after a string of other controversial police shootings across the country, with many of them including officers who shot fleeing, unarmed suspects in their backs. Take a look below at the growing gallery of unarmed Black men and boys who have been shot and killed by police.
Amadou Diallo Foundation Hosts Benefit Gala On Anniversary Of His Death was originally published on newsone.com
