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From the beginning, the sexual assault case against Dominique Strauss-Kahn displayed a sharp contrast. A powerful French politician was accused of sexually assaulting a hotel maid who is an African immigrant living in the South Bronx.

In the end, the prosecution's decision not to pursue the case did not sit well with some. Women's advocates and others turned out by the Manhattan courthouse to protest the District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.'s decision not to go forward.

"Well basically saying that her credibility is shot and they can't go forward is like saying if you're a woman and you've done anything dishonest in your past, that you are basically 'un-rapeable,' in the sense that you will be considered not credible," said a protester.

"The woman was traumatized. She was very nervous and upset. It doesn't matter what the background is, she was raped," said another. "And she was sexually abused and this guy did it."

It was not just a spectacle for the rallies and protests. Hordes of journalists from around the world added to the chaotic scene outside the court house.

The French media especially paid attention, as Strauss-Kahn was not only the head of the International Monetary Fund and a leading candidate to be president of France.

"My first impression is that I've never seen so much media for one story," said Thierry Arnaud of BMF TV, a French journalist who covered the case from the beginning. "There is absolutely a dominant opinion in France that the American justice system screwed up. They shouldn't have hit so hard on him initially, just to find out that she was pretty much making up everything."

Strauss-Kahn still faces a civil suit, which could keep the story alive longer.