Memorial in East New York marks 10 years since the death of Akai Gurley by police
Community organizers behind the event say the public pressure is making a change and holding police who break the law accountable.
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A Memorial was held in East New York Saturday on the eve of the 10-year mark since 28-year-old Akai Gurley was killed by a stray bullet as he walked down the stairs in a project building.
The round was fired by rookie Officer Peter Liang who was doing a vertical patrol inside of the building's stair well.
Liang was convicted of manslaughter until a judge lessened the sentence.
"Five years' probation, and 800 hundred hours of community service, that's what my nephew's life was worth in the eyes of the law," said Gurley's aunt, Hertencia Peterson.
She says in the 10 years since, his daughter has had to go without a father, and the family has been coping with the grief. She credits the pressure the East New York community put on the case for Liang's conviction.
"The community of East New York, I hold you dear in my heart because when Akai was murdered you came out," she said.
Other families impacted by police violence also joined Peterson at the event. They included the families of John Collado, Saheed Vassell and Shantel Davis, a club they say no family wants to join.
Community organizers behind the event say the public pressure is making a change and holding police who break the law accountable.
"There is a consciousness that has risen in the last 10 years were people are willing to fight and keep pressure and stand by the side of families," said organizer Kerbie Joseph.
Gurley would have turned 38 this year.
