"A year later we could be reacting to another verdict in Providence," said Alicia E. Johnson '01, president of the Black Students Association (BSA). "We're too late for Amadou Diallo, but we sure can change the Providence [verdict]."
The BSA and BMF will table outside the Science Center this afternoon and tomorrow to raise awareness about the Diallo case and to gather signatures for a petition that they will send to New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and New York congressional representatives.
Demonstrators were particularly critical of Giuliani, accusing him of insensitivity to racial issues in his efforts to reduce crime in New York.
"Giuliani has been flagrant in his refusal to sympathize with the victims of police brutality," West said after his speech.
According to Johnson, the petition will express their disapproval of the Diallo verdict and encourage a federal investigation of the case.