Amadou Diallo
Amadou Bailo Diallo (September 2, 1975 - February 4, 1999) a 22-year-old man from Guinea was killed by four white members of the New York City Police Department's Street Crime Unit on February 4, 1999.Diallo, reportedly sold videotapes and socks on the street in the day, studied in the evenings, and spoke five languages. Police wanted to speak to him because he fit the description of a serial rapist. He ran from the police. He was shot 19 times by police, who fired 41 shots, while standing just outside the doorway of his apartment. Police, then searched for incriminating evidence but failed to find any. They claimed they began shooting in self-defense when Diallo reached into his jacket, but the only items in Diallo's jacket were his wallet and beeper.
The police officers were charged, but found not-guilty of all charges by a jury on February 25, 2000. Police testified that in the dark apartment hallway, they mistook Diallo's wallet for a weapon.
Diallo's death sparked massive demonstrations against police brutality, involving more than 1700 arrests. Charges against protestors were later dropped.
Although he was in the country legally, his visa was set to expire in April, 1999 which led to him filing a false asylum request with INS. In the filing he claimed to be from Mauritania, and that his family were victims of "human cleansing". His parents, Saikou and Kadiatou Diallo, were actually wealthy and well-educated Guineans. Some theorize that Diallo might have fled from police due to his fear over the fraudulent filing.
The protest song by Bruce Springsteen, "41 Shots", led the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association of New York City to call for a boycott of Springsteen's concerts in the city.
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