Congressman Says Police Stopped Him Due To Racial Profiling

Congressman says police stopped his vehicle due to racial profiling



CNN
From Ismael Estrada
3:26 p.m. EST, Fri November 23, 2007

CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) -- U.S. Rep. Danny Davis of Illinois believes he was a victim of racial profiling this week, his spokeswoman said. Rep. Danny Davis thinks he was pulled over because there were "four black men in the car," his spokeswoman said. Two white police officers pulled over the Democratic congressman early Monday morning, according to spokeswoman Tumia Romero.

"He thinks he was pulled over because of his race," Romero said Thursday. "He was not speeding, had a valid driver's license, wasn't swerving, but was pulled over anyway." She said Davis had been working on his radio show until around midnight Sunday. He was driving home three of his guests -- all African-Americans -- when Chicago police officers pulled his vehicle over around 1 a.m. Monday.

The only reason the congressman can see for being stopped was that there were "four black men in the car," Romero said. Davis said he was issued a $75 ticket for "driving left of center." He is scheduled to appear in traffic court December 28. Dana Starks, Chicago police interim superintendent, confirmed that Davis had been issued a citation for a traffic violation.

About Davis' allegations, Starks said, "The Chicago Police Department does not encourage, tolerate or condone racial profiling on any level." Starks added, "We assure the congressman that any allegations of racial profiling will be thoroughly investigated, and the Chicago Police Department remains committed to enforcing the law fairly and without bias."

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/23/racial.profiling/index.html?iref=mpstoryview