February 4th 2024.
Before the names George Floyd, Eric Garner, Sean Bell, Rekia Boyd, and the Black Lives Matter movement became synonymous with the fight against police brutality, there was Amadou Diallo. He was a young immigrant from Guinea who tragically lost his life at the hands of four plainclothes New York City police officers. It has been 25 years since that fateful day, but the memory of Diallo's death still lingers.
According to History, the four officers were part of a controversial unit known as the Street Crimes Unit. They believed Diallo was a suspect they had been following and proceeded to shoot him 41 times. Despite the public outcry and the officers' ever-changing stories, they were found not guilty by a jury in Albany, NY. Diallo's father, Saikou Diallo, considered the verdict a "second killing" of his son, while then-Mayor David Dinkins expressed concern over the message it sent.
Following a wrongful death lawsuit, Diallo's family received a $3 million settlement. However, for Kadiatou Diallo, Diallo's mother, justice was not served. As People Magazine reports, she has remained an outspoken critic of law enforcement. In an interview after Derek Chauvin's conviction for the murder of George Floyd, Kadiatou stated that it was not a time for celebration, but a time for action. She believes that the fight against police brutality is far from over and that more needs to be done to prevent similar tragedies from happening.
Fighting for justice is something that Kadiatou is familiar with. In 2001, she established the Amadou Diallo Foundation in her son's honor. The foundation's mission is to provide educational opportunities for students of African descent, particularly those transitioning from high school to college. Kadiatou was inspired by her son's last words to her, "Mom, I'm going to college," and is determined to help other students achieve their academic dreams.
In a 2019 interview with NY1, Kadiatou shared that she believes her son would have dedicated his life to helping others. She imagines him as a loving parent, an entrepreneur, and a passionate advocate for those in need. Despite the pain of losing her son, Kadiatou has remained resilient and has channeled her grief into a powerful force for change.
The fight against police brutality is ongoing, and the families of victims like Amadou Diallo are pleading for action. They are urging leaders like New York City's Mayor-elect Eric Adams to sign the "How Many Stops Act," which would require police officers to provide a written explanation for every stop they make. These families are determined to prevent further tragedies and ensure that their loved ones' legacies are not forgotten.
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