President Barack Obama’s press conference took a surprising turn when the President decided to weigh in on the controversy over the arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. by the Cambridge Police. While admitting that he did not know all of the facts, the President called the police stupid in their response to the call of a suspected break in.
The President stated that “I don’t know – not having been there and not seeing all the facts – what role race played in that, but I think it’s fair to say, number one, any of us would be pretty angry; number two that the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home.”
The President admitted that Gates is a friend and that “I don’t know all the facts.” However, he felt that the matter should have ended with proof that this was Gates’ house. He raised the specter of racial profiling: “I guess this is my house now. Here I’d get shot.” He noted that “[s]eparate and apart from this incident is that there’s a long history in this country of African-American and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately.”
Ironically, the arresting officer Sergeant James M. Crowley is one of the academy experts who teaches a course on racial profiling, here.
The incident has caused an intense debate on this blog and other sites. A neighbor saw someone forcing open a front door and did the right thing in calling police, in my view. It would be a bit unfair to suggest that this neighbor Lucia Whalen was clearly racist in making such a call. Assuming that we agree that she was correct in making the call, the main controversy focuses on the police and their response. The officers insist that Gates became immediately belligerent and refused to come out of the house. On the other hand, accounts suggest that Gates was willing to show this proof of residency and eventually did come out on to the front porch. Even assuming Gates acted in a boorish and insulting manner in allegedly calling the police racists and pulling rank, I fail to see why an arrest was warranted.
Police officers, however, may be a bit put out by the President’s intervention. The police insist that Gates escalated the matter and could have simply resolved the dispute by cooperating without the alleged outburst. I am not sure that we will ever know the facts with complete certainty. The issue of profiling is an obvious concern, though most people (I think) would agree that a call is appropriate when someone is seen forcing their way into a home. Moreover, the police may argue that they needed Gates to come out on to the porch to match his identification with his face and confirm that there was nothing suspicious occurring. I would expect that officers would be equally insistent on speaking directly to me if I were seen forcing a door at my own home.
This may be a case of everyone allowing a routine police call to get out of hand.
The officer, Sergeant James M. Crowley, denies that he is a racist and refused to apologize, here. Below is Gates’ account.
For the full arrest report, click here.
For the story, click here.
Statement on Behalf of Henry Louis Gates, Jr. — by Charles Ogletree
This brief statement is being submitted on behalf of my client, friend, and colleague, Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. This is a statement concerning the arrest [1]of Professor Gates. On July 16, 2009, Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., 58, the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor of Harvard University, was headed from Logan airport to his home [in] Cambridge after spending a week in China, where he was filming his new PBS documentary entitled “Faces of America.”
Professor Gates was driven to his home by a driver for a local car company. Professor Gates attempted to enter his front door, but the door was damaged. Professor Gates then entered his rear door with his key, turned off his alarm, and again attempted to open the front door. With the help of his driver they were able to force the front door open, and then the driver carried Professor Gates’ luggage into his home.
Professor Gates immediately called the Harvard Real Estate office to report the damage to his door and requested that it be repaired immediately. As he was talking to the Harvard Real Estate office on his portable phone in his house, he observed a uniformed officer on his front porch. When Professor Gates opened the door, the officer immediately asked him to step outside. Professor Gates remained inside his home and asked the officer why he was there. The officer indicated that he was responding to a 911 call about a breaking and entering in progress at this address. Professor Gates informed the officer that he lived there and was a faculty member at Harvard University. The officer then asked Professor Gates whether he could prove that he lived there and taught at Harvard. Professor Gates said that he could, and turned to walk into his kitchen, where he had left his wallet. The officer followed him. Professor Gates handed both his Harvard University identification and his valid Massachusetts driver’s license to the officer. Both include Professor Gates’ photograph, and the license includes his address.
Professor Gates then asked the police officer if he would give him his name and his badge number. He made this request several times. The officer did not produce any identification nor did he respond to Professor Gates’ request for this information. After an additional request by Professor Gates for the officer’s name and badge number, the officer then turned and left the kitchen of Professor Gates’ home without ever acknowledging who he was or if there were charges against Professor Gates. As Professor Gates followed the officer to his own front door, he was astonished to see several police officers gathered on his front porch. Professor Gates asked the officer’s colleagues for his name and badge number. As Professor Gates stepped onto his front porch, the officer who had been inside and who had examined his identification, said to him, “Thank you for accommodating my earlier request,” and then placed Professor Gates under arrest. He was handcuffed on his own front porch.
Professor Gates was taken to the Cambridge Police Station where he remained for approximately 4 hours before being released that evening. Professor Gates’ counsel has been cooperating with the Middlesex District Attorneys Office, and the City of Cambridge, and is hopeful that this matter will be resolved promptly. Professor Gates will not be making any other statements concerning this matter at this time.
erykah:
there is definitely some racial component to law enforcement. But why are the jails in the US filled with black and hispanic men in far greater percentages than in society? Certainly some can be atrributed to false arrest and racism on the part of white officers. But it cant all be. At some point we must take responsibility for our actions and quit blaming others for our failings.
An arrest was not warranted. The officer states in his report that he was aware early on that Gates was the rightful occupant of the house. He showed two forms of ID with his picture on it while the cop was in the house. So there was no need to step outside. Gates did right by not complying, but made the mistake in stepping outside his door later and as they say the rest is history. The president was asked a question by Lynn Sweet, gave an honest answer and now folk are angry because he told the truth. White people just don’t get the fact the it is not safe to be a person of color in the US particularly when the police get involved. Racial profiling is real which far too often has led to death or the serious injury of black and latino men. It is an American reality and all of us are responsible in ridding our society of this human rights violation. But those who live on the privilege side of racism continue to live in denial. What can you do?
One other thing. I have to say that I am disappointed with the way Turley has framed this issue. Obama did not simply decide to step into this controversy. A journalist asked him about it and he responded. He stated from the outset that he would no doubt be bias since Gates is a friend. I thought the answer was nuanced and spoke truth to power. Race still matters in this “post-racial” country. And those of us who are victims of racism are tired of white folk telling us that it is all in our heads.
Just another Mom
EXCELLENT< THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU
I posted the police reports verbatim on the earlier thread so that readers would have access.
Now I am posting Gates’ side of the story in the statement by Charles Ogletree, Harvard Law Professor, who is representing Gates:
Statement on Behalf of Henry Louis Gates, Jr. — by Charles Ogletree
This brief statement is being submitted on behalf of my client, friend, and colleague, Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. This is a statement concerning the arrest [1]of Professor Gates. On July 16, 2009, Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., 58, the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor of Harvard University, was headed from Logan airport to his home [in] Cambridge after spending a week in China, where he was filming his new PBS documentary entitled “Faces of America.”
Professor Gates was driven to his home by a driver for a local car company. Professor Gates attempted to enter his front door, but the door was damaged. Professor Gates then entered his rear door with his key, turned off his alarm, and again attempted to open the front door. With the help of his driver they were able to force the front door open, and then the driver carried Professor Gates’ luggage into his home.
Professor Gates immediately called the Harvard Real Estate office to report the damage to his door and requested that it be repaired immediately. As he was talking to the Harvard Real Estate office on his portable phone in his house, he observed a uniformed officer on his front porch. When Professor Gates opened the door, the officer immediately asked him to step outside. Professor Gates remained inside his home and asked the officer why he was there. The officer indicated that he was responding to a 911 call about a breaking and entering in progress at this address. Professor Gates informed the officer that he lived there and was a faculty member at Harvard University. The officer then asked Professor Gates whether he could prove that he lived there and taught at Harvard. Professor Gates said that he could, and turned to walk into his kitchen, where he had left his wallet. The officer followed him. Professor Gates handed both his Harvard University identification and his valid Massachusetts driver’s license to the officer. Both include Professor Gates’ photograph, and the license includes his address.
Professor Gates then asked the police officer if he would give him his name and his badge number. He made this request several times. The officer did not produce any identification nor did he respond to Professor Gates’ request for this information. After an additional request by Professor Gates for the officer’s name and badge number, the officer then turned and left the kitchen of Professor Gates’ home without ever acknowledging who he was or if there were charges against Professor Gates. As Professor Gates followed the officer to his own front door, he was astonished to see several police officers gathered on his front porch. Professor Gates asked the officer’s colleagues for his name and badge number. As Professor Gates stepped onto his front porch, the officer who had been inside and who had examined his identification, said to him, “Thank you for accommodating my earlier request,” and then placed Professor Gates under arrest. He was handcuffed on his own front porch.
Professor Gates was taken to the Cambridge Police Station where he remained for approximately 4 hours before being released that evening. Professor Gates’ counsel has been cooperating with the Middlesex District Attorneys Office, and the City of Cambridge, and is hopeful that this matter will be resolved promptly. Professor Gates will not be making any other statements concerning this matter at this time.
Source: http://www.theroot.com/views/lawyers-statement-arrest-henry-louis-gates-jr
Thanks, Vince, I added that statement to the post so others can read it.
The more serious race issue is why didn’t the neighbor know who lives there. The neighbor assumed, because he or she saw a black person trying to open the door, that it must be someoen breaking in. I doubt that would have occurred if Gates were white. Who in their right mind would think an elderly man was breaking in?
I am white. I live in a mixed race neighborhood. I know who belongs and who doesn’t. And that distinction isn’t based on the color of their skin; it’s based on their faces. The way to know who belongs and who doesn’t isn’t by looking at the color of someone’s skin, it’s knowing your neighbors.
Well, it wouldn’t be the first time that Boston-area police have acted stupidly.
http://tv.boingboing.net/2008/09/19/star-simpson-once-mi.html
http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2007/02/nonterrorist_em.html
Mespo: “Rule one of lawyering is no offer no opinion until you know all of the facts, and rule two is to avoid opining about the actions of family and friends. One would think a law professor would know better.”
Mespo: “I would be interested to know how you would have handled a report of a felony break-in or home invasion when being met by two uncooperative and/or belligerent males in a house at night.” [from previous Gates thread].
Well, mespo, you may be interested in my views on belligerent persons in a house at night, but why?
The Gates arrest took place in broad daylight shortly after noon.
See rule one.
I, like everyone else here do not know all of the facts about this incident. I have been pulled over and have had many incidents simply because of driving while black. At one time I drove for a living.
For those of you who want to play the race card here lets look at both sides.
One, he is black, was the neighborhood where the house was located all black, all white, or evenly mixed?
Two, was it an upscale neighborhood or just the hood?
If it was an all white or mostly white, and a black man was living there then it would not be out of the ordinary to see a black man on the porch. What would be out of the ordinary would be a black man trying to force his way in. A neighbor called police. If it was a white neighbor, he had to know a black neighbor was living there. If the prof. was out of town then there was no activity at the home. Then all of a sudden the neighbor witnessed a black man trying to force his way in and I assume there was luggage being rolled around which could of been assumed that there was a theft occurring.
The police arrive, they may have been influenced because it might be an upscale neighborhood. I assume that because I doubt the prof. lives in the hood. In which to them a black man in an upscale neighborhood trying to force the front door to a home open is, out of the ordinary. However had this been the hood and the same thing happened the police probably would of taken all day to respond because this is ordinary in the hood.
The confrontation ensued. I can already tell you the prof. response. When ANYONE gets confronted and feels like they did not do anything wrong you get defensive. That is a natural thing to happen. I’m sure the prof. was screaming this is my house. The police at that point have know clue how’s house is who. The only thing they know at that point was a black man was trying to force the door open, thats what the call was. The police ARE NOT going to go in his home unless they feel they need to take that next step. They don’t know if someone else is in there that may cause them harm. They want to keep everything in the open. As the old adage goes you never know whats lurking around the corner. Could they of handled things differently I’m sure.
For more inside tips go to the comment section here.http://jonathanturley.org/2009/07/13/florida-sobriety-roadblock-produces-host-of-arrests-and-citations-except-for-dui/#comments
When I see Obama comment on how the US military and police forces are (mist)treating our detainees, how ICE is arresting hispanics, both citizens and non-citizens alike and entering their homes without warrents, when I hear him apologize to our detainees in Gitmo and release or give them a civil trial, when he stops the illegal spying on all American citizens, when he stands up to stop the arrests for drugs which has a clear racial/class bias, then I will believe this was anything other than a political stunt.
The President of the United States, without having complete knowledge of the incident, should refrain from commentary.
Is it possible that Gates jumped to conclusions? Is it possible that the police officer acted in a prejudicial manner? -The answer to both is Yes. -The problem is, we have two different stories, and none of the stories were supplied by an impartial observer.
We may never know exactly what took place at the residence of Mr. Gates. We do know that the POTUS will jump to conclusions while admittedly not knowing all the information….and he has control of “the football”.
Let me throw this in the pot,How much do you think “Jet Lag” may have had on the Professors reaction to the situation?
“The police insist that Gates escalated the matter and could have simply resolved the dispute by cooperating without the alleged outburst.”
Some unreasonable people expect the police to treat them with courtesy and react in an oppositional way when they do not receive it. Police on the other hand expect instant compliance and take offense when it is not forthcoming, they do not want to hear that one is offended by their discourtesy or be told they have made wrong assumptions. You do what they say in one microsecond or ZAP, you answer their questions and how dare you think you are entitled to question them.
Maybe Gates problem is that he does not have the experience with police of a more normal underclass afro-American and thus is ignorant of the correct protocols to avoid being shot, tasered or arrested.
We have seen too many instances of police acting like gestapo instead of peace officers. From the arrest of a Democratic House candidate in California, to shooting a 80 year old woman in Atlanta, to police agent provateurs in St Paul, the police in this country have truly forgotten that they are not an occupying army. With the advent of video, we are discovering more often than not, that police offiers exacerbate situations, and then fabricate written reports to protect their own actions. To arrest a man in his own home for requesting the officer to merely identify himself goes beyond the pale.
I have heard numerous lawyers say that if the police pull you over and tell you to get out of the car that you have the right to ask them if you are under arrest. If the answer is no then you can stay in your car. Wouldn’t the same also apply to the police telling you to exit your residence?
I am going to take a hit for this one: You know not knowing the facts about the situation and all. Not one has stated that the electricity was on, so “Don’t you know why Gates had to go on to the Porch? Because All blacks look alike.”
The responses are just incredible. THE MAN WAS IN HIS OWN HOME or at least the one he was allowed to use as a Professor at Harvard, don’t ya know. He could not prove ownership, I presume no one way acting reasonable under the circumstances.
The Police could have acted differently I am sure. But could have Gates.
The key, it seems to me, is “who is the adult” or “who are the adults” in this type of situation and who is the citizen they are sworn to protect.
The professionals are required to have a professional response and to be the adults, even when non-professional citizens loose it.
I a little man walking with a cane is miffed already by having lost his keys, and they get authoritarian and he gets miffed, that is what professionals are trained to handle.
Building good relations with citizens becomes the objective in any scene like this, once the professionals have determined they are talking with a citizen in his own home who has committed no crime.
The good working relationship with the citizenry then becomes the primary result they should seek to accomplish.
When they have done so they have added one more ally to their ranks, but when they do not they have foolishly drawn negative attention to their unprofessional behaviour and to their fellow officers.
Rule one of lawyering is no offer no opinion until you know all of the facts, and rule two is to avoid opining about the actions of family and friends. One would think a law professor would know better.
The question I have is would the person have called the police if the man pushing on the door was white? The fact of him coming out on the porch is interesting as well. Why wouldn’t the police have dealt with the issue inside the house rather in public? The only reason why this person was arrested was because of the color of his skin and it may have been the reason why he was even confronted. Obama was exactly correct to state that this arrest was stupid because it was. The police have no reason to arrest someone just because they are upset. If that was the threshold then the jails would have a lot more politicians in them.
This statement by Obama seems to have opened a whole new front on the race and class wars. Living in Boston, I have rarely seen such outrage.
This was a very significant misstep by Obama, and his comments may permanently set him back in his effort to “transcend race”.
I wanted to let you know that Republicans in Oklahoma are finally speaking out against Sally Kern. I think your posts, which I put on Facebook and tweeted, were influential.
I’m a liberal-leaning moderate and a Christian. I’ve written a post about why more Christians have not spoken out against Kern’s distortion of the teachings of Christ. I’ll never be as smart as you, but this is my humble effort to right the wrongs: Sally Kern’s good intentions which do more to repulse people from the message of Christ than draw them to him. Thank you.
http://www.jenx67.com/2009/07/i-see-sally.html