Black State Senator Claims Racial Profiling by Chicago Police Officer

[steve2470]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB9HJ6D7BE.html

By Megan Reichgott Associated Press Writer
Published: Jul 16, 2005


CHICAGO (AP) - A black state senator said he was the victim of racial profiling when a white officer pulled his car over and waved a gun in his face.

Sen. James Meeks, who is also a minister, said the confrontation happened Wednesday night when his driver was taking him, his wife and his son home from the 10,000-seat House of Hope Church, where he is pastor.

Meeks said the officer pulled over their vehicle after they passed his police car stopped in the middle of a street. When Meeks got out of the car, the officer allegedly pulled out his gun and repeatedly yelled at Meeks to get back inside his vehicle.

"If this is the way a respected clergyman, the pastor of the largest church in Illinois, a state senator and the chair of the Illinois Black Caucus is treated, I know the average young black person on the street doesn't stand a chance," Meeks said in a statement.

<snip>

[burrowowl]

1. I hope he raises

THE ROOF!
Seems like the Chicago police need some training!

[alarcojon]

2. See this related thread, where I recount my own experiences

with the Chicago police:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=4093013



posts 48, 57, 61, 69

[saigon68]

3. the average young black person on the street

Is simply another perp to be hassled by the heroes of 9/11

[crikkett]

4. kick n/t

:kick:

[MeDeMax]

5. kick...n/t

[iconoclastic cat]

6. Rev. Meeks is right on that point: Chicago is not kind to African American

people, especially young men. I don't just mean abuse at the hands of rogue cops: look at the public schools, the degradation of the neighborhoods, the lack of economic development, and the crime rates. Take a look at the complexion of the people who live where those streetlamp police cams are located. It just goes on and on.

[KareBear]

7. Not to excuse the officer on this

But getting out of your car when you are not asked to is considered a hostile act. The officer has no way of knowing what your going to do or pull out. The ideal reaction to being pulled over would be to roll down all your windows and have everyone in the car stick their empty hands, palms towards the officer, out of the windows, and await instructions.

I don't like being harassed by cops either, but I also like to put their minds at ease seeing as how they tend to have tasers, guns, and nightsticks combined with high stress levels.

[LivingInTheBubble]

9. thats horrific.

"The ideal reaction to being pulled over would be to roll down all your windows and have everyone in the car stick their empty hands, palms towards the officer, out of the windows, and await instructions."

This is one of those things that makes me really really glad I dont live in the USA.

[goclark]

8. kick