Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Sean Bell Protesters Arrested, Including Sharpton
By
Jen Chung
Published May 7, 2008
Modified May 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published May 7, 2008
Modified May 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Photograph of protesters on Varick Street by stconrad on Flickr
Hundreds of people gathered at six different locations in the city to protest the acquittal of three police detectives in the Sean Bell shooting. They blocked traffic at the Queensboro Bridge, Triborough Bridge, Manhttan Bridge, Holland Tunnel, Queens Midtown Tunnel and Brooklyn Bridge, and arrests were made at the Queens Midtown Tunnel and Brooklyn Bridge.
The arrests seem to be because the protesters have been blocking traffic, either forming a human chain or sitting down in front of the bridges. There are delays on the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, while traffic was "momentarily halted" on the Triborough.
At the Brooklyn Bridge, the AP reports the Reverend Al Sharpton, Bell's fiancee Nicole Paultre Bell, Trent Benefield and Joseph Guzman (Benefield and Guzman were with Bell during the shooting) were arrested--they "lined up and peacefully put their hands behind their backs as police put plastic handcuffs on them."
Tagged
civil disobedience
Nicole Paultre Bell
protest
reverend al sharpton
sean bell
sean bell shooting
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 2:49 p.m. ET
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
News
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Charles Lane
Ex-Adams aide accused of pocketing kickbacks from community program funds
By
Samantha Max
MTA to begin 6-year project to upgrade signal tech on A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .