All Americans shall have the same dream

The case of Peter Liang is increasingly catching the attention of people in the United States, and beyond, especially among Chinese, Asians and African-Americans.

Peter Liang and Shaun Landau, both young cops with the New York Police Department, were on patrol in Brooklyn, New York City in November 2014, when, while inspecting an apartment building, Liang inadvertently triggered his gun when being startled by a noise in the darkened corridor. The bullet ricocheted off a wall and killed Akai Gurley, an African-American who happened to be going upstairs. This is the case that brought Liang to court.

Gurley's death is a tragedy. Liang's job was to maintain social order and the safety of the neighborhood, so as to protect innocent people like Gurley. Although his gun was triggered, it is clear he didn't intend to hurt Gurley as he could neither see nor know Gurley was approaching in the darkness. However, the jury concluded that Liang opened fire, and that cost Gurley his life.