Witnesses say Jeilani was walking down the street with a machete and a crowbar when police surrounded him on a busy street corner. The cops refused assistance offered by several people who pleaded to let them speak to Jeilani in Somali. The cops shot him 16 times.

Despite intense pressure brought to bear by many liberal organizations, city officials, the police chief, and the press to "be responsible" and not hold the action, organizers pressed forward with their plans for the march. The protest attracted many passersby, several of whom helped give out leaflets to those driving cars and others walking past. Jennifer Coles said she joined the protest because she is "sick of police brutality. They think they can do anything they want to us because we are Black--unless we stop them."

High school students were among the main organizers of the march. "I think we need to fight back. We cannot let the police continue," said Nimo Farh. "We are people too. They think because we don't know the laws we will be afraid to fight back. But we know English, and we learn fast." Farh and several fellow high school students leafleted a 34-story apartment tower that is home to a large number of Somali workers the night before the protest. About 50 Somalis participated in the march.

A vigil was also organized the day before by several traditional Somali organizations. Nimco Ahmed, who participated in both events, said that the vigil "was very good. Almost all those who attended were Somali. But I think that the march today is stronger because of the diversity. It shows we are not alone. Police brutality does not just affect the Somali community."

Reginald Harmon, another protester, said the demonstrations "show it happens to all of us. The police can't say it's just the Somalis who are saying they are brutalized by the cops."

Jenny Benton is a textile worker.  
 
 
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