Amadou Diallo’s father flew to New York on the eve of the arraignment of the four cops who shot his son, and thanked the people who have campaigned for justice for his family.
“I’m very glad to be back here after all the long journey to take the body back for [the funeral] in my native Guinea,” Saikou Diallo said after arriving at Kennedy Airport.
He was referring to his family’s sojourn home to Africa last month to bury his son – who was shot and killed by four Street Crime Unit cops in The Bronx on Feb. 4.
The case has brought national headlines and state and federal scrutiny of allegations of police brutality in New York.
More than 1,000 people, including politicians and celebrities, have been arrested in protests at the entrance to police headquarters.
Diallo, a businessman who lives in Vietnam, thanked the New Yorkers who have kept the pressure up on authorities.
“We are very grateful for your support,” he said, calling the four cops “murderers.”
“We understand … that finally justice will be done. We are here just to thank you and thank all the communities.”
Standing by his side at JFK, the Rev. Al Sharpton said, “It was our commitment to the mother and the father that we would fight until the arrests of these officers happened.
“We feel that this is the beginning, not the end. Just because there’s an indictment does not mean that there’s a conviction.”
Sharpton also spoke about a rally by off-duty cops in front of a Bronx courthouse yesterday in support of the four officers.
“I welcome their right to protest. I don’t complain. In fact I welcome them to come to [his Harlem headquarters] and do civil disobedience.
“I’ll serve them lemonade and cake to show how much I encourage people to act out what they believe in,” Sharpton said.
Saikou Diallo and Sharpton later attended a rally in Brooklyn to show support for the family.
Diallo’s mother, Kadiatou, and other relatives will fly in from Guinea today in time for the arraignment.