“Sean Bell! Don’t forget! Sean Bell! Don’t forget!” the marchers chanted with fervor and passion on their way to the ceremonial opening of the new Sean Elijah Bell Community Center at 107-52 Sutphin Blvd. in Jamaica.
Led by a marching band on a cloudless Saturday morning, nearly 100 people started the march on Sean Bell Way on the corner of 94th Avenue and Liverpool Street, walked down 94th Avenue and headed to the community center where a ribbon cutting ceremony was held.
In November 2006, Bell was shot 50 times by police after exiting a nightclub where he was celebrating his bachelor party with friends that resulted in a controversy over the police’s actions.
Among the group of marchers were the Bells, the X-Ryders, a fraternal organization, community activists and local officials.
Valerie and William Bell, mother and father of Sean, stood at the front the procession holding a large banner with the center’s information and a picture of their son.
No tears of sadness of the tragedy were shed, but instead the occasion was one of smiles and hope.
“The march is a happy march, a joyous march, a great match,” said Valerie Bell, a resident of St. Albans.
“We’re celebrating my son,” said William Bell. “We’re keeping him alive.”
Queen Makkada, the District 27 DPAC Chairwoman, saw the march and opening as a momentous and important day. “We’re at the beginning of something that will be great and grand five years from now so I wanted to support, to memorialize that no one should have 50 shots for sitting in a car.”
She is certain that the facility will be a vital tool in helping the community, saying, “This center will make a difference.”
After the ribbon cutting, people were allowed inside to see the center.
At approximately 1,200 square feet, the center, though sparse of materials, currently sports some personal computers, a big screen TV, a projector screen, photos of Bell and awards he received.
The center will have tutoring for ages 9 through 17, GED preparation courses and legal services, along with many other social services, available free of charge.
The center received a funding grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Leroy Gadsden, president of the Jamaica branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said the facility will be a reminder to people of that day the shooting took place. “The center is also a monument to what happens when we don’t respect life,” he said.
City Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica) said that despite the local area suffering from high unemployment and high amounts of violence, the community, especially youths will benefit from seeking services from the center.
“The project is incredible,” he said. “This community center is a snapshot of what an individual can do without even seeking government assistance or anything else or just having the determination to do better.”
The center will start operating sometime next month, according to Valerie Bell.
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