'Amadou
Diallo must not be forgotten'
February 4, 2001 will mark two years since
Muslim immigrant Amadou Diallo was gunned down in the vestibule of
his Bronx home. Four white New York City police officers, Sean
Carroll, Edward McMellon, Kenneth Boss and Richard Murphy, spotted
Mr. Diallo entering his home at 1157 Wheeler Avenue and fired 41
shots from their 9- millimeter pistols, hitting the unarmed man 19
times. The officers said that a wallet in the young Muslim�s
hand looked like a gun. The killing of Amadou Diallo sparked weeks
of protests and civil disobedience exercises. Over 1,000 people
were arrested. A jury of their peers acquitted the officers of all
charges on February 25, 2000. Again there were demonstrations and
more people were arrested. The United States Attorney for the
Southern District of New York said there would be a review of the
case to determine whether there were any violations of the federal
civil rights laws. And that is pretty much where things stand in
the case of the New York Police Dept. vs. Amadou Diallo. The Final
Call was able to spend a few minutes with Saikou A. Diallo, the
father of Amadou Diallo and president of the Amadou Diallo
Educational Humanitarian & Charity Foundation. Staff Writer
Saeed Shabazz conducted the interview.
 Final
Call (FCN): It has been two years since the untimely death of your
son Amadou Diallo. What are your thoughts as February 4
approaches?
Saikou Diallo (SD): It is true that it will
be two years on Feb. 4 that Amadou was shot at 41 times by New
York City policemen. There is no sign of justice for my son. I
feel emotional about the loss of my son; we were close. He had
finished his studies at home in Guinea (West Africa) and ventured
here to make his mark in the world. He was a very decent, a very
kind gentleman. Those who killed my son violated his life,
violated his rights. My son never hurt anyone.
FC: Have you heard from the U.S. Justice
Department?
SD: I am concerned by the quietness, that
Amadou Diallo has been forgotten. The last time I talked to anyone
from the Justice Department was maybe last March. I want to say
long life and good fortune to the outgoing President Bill Clinton
and his Cabinet. I look forward to success for Senator Hillary
Clinton and the new administration coming to Washington. I look
forward to the new administration for justice for Amadou Diallo,
who was shot at in his vestibule 41 times. We have come into a new
century and still no one is speaking of justice for my son, but
there is hope. I will never give up hope.
FC: You have been active in issues on human
rights. Do you see yourself becoming a spokesman against
injustice?
SD: We must work harder to get these issues
of human rights violations up front for all the world to see. It
is not just in New York City where policemen kill and just walk
away. It is a worldwide problem. Injustice is a worldwide problem.
That is why I am working with the United Nations High Commissioner
On Human Rights Mary Robinson to prepare an agenda for the Rights
Conference in Durban, South Africa in October 2001.
FC: Why have you started the Amadou Diallo
Foundation?
SD: The Foundation will become a center for
the study of Islam and Islamic culture. My son Amadou was a Muslim
and he made salat (prayer) and he believed in the way of Islam.
The Foundation wants to purchase 1157 Wheeler Avenue, where he
lived, and turn it into a cultural center for study and for salat.
It will be called the Amadou Diallo Center for Islamic Study and
Culture. I am impressed with the growth of Islam in America, every
Friday I pray (Al-Jumua) at a different mosque. It is important to
strengthen the knowledge of Islam in our communities. We want to
teach the importance of fathers being involved in the lives of
their children. I know that many women here are left to raise
their children alone. In the Muslim culture the father must have
concern for his children even if there is a divorce. You are
responsible for the children until they are mature. I know the
newspapers said that there was a divorce between Amadou�s mother
and myself, and that is true. We were divorced for nine years, but
we were close, not as they have portrayed us. I am a Muslim and
aware of my duty. God loves people who seek justice. This is why
He created the hell fire and paradise. I think the Muslim must
teach on the basis of the law.
FC: You are asking people to come to Wheeler
Avenue on February 4?
SD: Yes, as I said earlier, I am concerned
about the quietness. Amadou Diallo must not be forgotten. I am
asking the Muslim community to make salat (prayer) on February 4
at 1157 Wheeler Avenue. I am asking everyone who wants justice for
my son to join with me in a vigil. We are calling for justice, not
just for Amadou but for all who have been treated unjustly. I want
to take this time to thank all of the people for their love and
concern.
FC: Thank You Mr. Diallo
[Editor�s note: Donations can be made to the
Amadou Diallo Educational Humanitarian & Charity Foundation,
69-06 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, New York 11378. Phone: 718-426- 9349,
fax 718-803-9764] |
