By Selena
Stevens
"The Legacy of Amadou
Diallo" will be presented at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, in Memorial Hall. It is
free and open to the public.
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March
21, 2001 – (Lexington, Ky.) – Just
over two years ago, Amadou Diallo was killed by 41 bullets fired by the guns of four New
Your City police officers. On April 5, his mother, Kadiatou Diallo, will share with the
University of Kentucky community her feelings on the loss of her son and her views on
racial profiling and police brutality. The
event, “The Legacy of Amadou Diallo,” presented by the UK Student Activities
Board Multicultural Affairs Committee, will begin at 8 p.m. in Memorial Hall. It is free
and open to the public.
In
February 1999, Amadou was killed in the vestibule of his New York City apartment building
in a shower of 41 bullets fired from the guns of four police officers. The officers
mistook the 23-year-old African for a rapist they were pursuing. The officers claimed they
opened fire believing Amadou was reaching for a gun. However, Amadou turned out to be
unarmed and only carrying a pager and wallet.
In
her presentation, Kadiatou humanizes racial profiling and police brutality. She manifests
the love for her son as she struggles to deal with her loss and seeks justice for his
untimely death. She is a poised and eloquent speaker with a moving and poignantly
delivered message.
“I
would hope that Amadou’s death will bring people together so they cannot judge
somebody by the color of their skin. I still believe in this country, and I do not want my
son’s dream to be just a dream,” she said.
“Diallo’s
presentation has the power to enable the audience to grasp a deeper understanding of the
dynamics of racial profiling. This is a message that needs to be heard by all, regardless
of race,” said Ericka Harney of the Student Activities Board.
For
more information, contact Shonta Phillips, Jennifer Mueller or Chris Rogers in the UK
Student Activities Office at (859) 257-8867.
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