Closing Arguments: Does Gates Deserve an Apology?

Yes he so deserves an apology! Without a doubt! That’s the least they can do!

No, the police were just doing their job. There is no need to apologize for that.

Heck no! He did not obey a lawful order of a Police Officer to produce ID. WHat makes him thiunk he is so special? There is a report of two black men breaking into a house. The PD responds and what do they see? A black man in the house. SHould they have walked away? Just another example of those race hustlers like Jackson and Sharfton.

yes Gates deserves an apology and the officer(s) should be reprimanded!!

No apology needed.

I believe Gates defiantly deserves an apology.

Does he deserve an apology? What’s to discuss? Only in the U.S. would the question even be posed – that a man who was wrongly arrested at his home and manhandled by the police- does that man deserve an apology? Is anyone as tired of this as I am? The officers should have apologized that night. Their captain should have relayed personally his(her) apology for her officers’ actions. What’s to discuss?

It’s very sad that this sort of thing still happens every day. Yes, he deserves an apology – if he and his driver had been white, this wouldn’t have happened the way it did.

No apology. Regardless of color or number of degrees obtained no one should disrespect/disobey the law and its representatives.

from what i’ve read and heard about the case , he’s the one that owes the police a big apology and very lucky that the charges were dropped ! i think most of us know ‘exactly’ what happened ………..

Absolutely, he deserves an apology and these cops need to be disciplined. This incident is outrageous! There is no doubt that this was a case of racial profiling; had he been white I don’t think someone would have called to report him, nor do I think the cops would have treated him with such suspicion. I don’t blame Gates for being incensed.

Yes, he does deserve an apology…When Prof. Gates showed the officer his ID with the address of the house on it that should of been enough..Gates not only showed one, but two ID’s with the address. Those made up charges about him acting disorderly, which validated his arrest I don’t buy. Boston Police officer please give Prof. Gates the apology he so rightly deserves!!!!

If the officer had seen a white person who appeared to be breaking into the home in question, should he have driven away? Give me a break.

From what I understand, Professor Gates chose not to provide the officer with the requested identification. The officers wer responding to a possible B&E as reported by a passerby. This incident could easily have been avoided by Professor Gates providing the ID. In my opinion, he should be apologizing to his community for wasting taxpayer dollars by causing this incident to escalate.

He absolutely deserves and apology, however, with the limited information provided, we don’t know at what point he became “belligerent.”
And Dan, people of all different backgrounds obtain jobs at Harvard because of their qualifications, not just because of their skin color. I think you should apologize for such an ignorant statement.

A certain human race needs to quit playing the VICTIM ROLE and realize what is standard procedure and quit being little babies

Absolutely!! after producing his Identification for the officer, Prof Gates continued to be harrassed by the officer who refused to give his name or badge number. When Prof Gates insisted on receiving the information and rightly accused the officer of racial discrimination the officer then arrested him without just cause.

The only apology that should be rendered is Gates apology to the police officer.
If a white man was standing at the door, the police would have asked for his identification, as well.
The true rasist in this story is the pompous professor.

I think tempers flared on both sides. They should meet and shake hands.

No, he does not. If the police followed procedures they were just doing their job. He simply asked the man for his identification. The real racial profiling in this story is assuming the police would have done anything different if he had been white or that the passerby, trying to be a good citizen, would have ignored this if he thought two white men were trying to break into a home.

Had a black officer come to the residence would this even be a story? Is this a case of racial profiling or reverse discrimination? Blacks have more rights than any other race in America yet SOME continue to complain and “demand” apologies. It’s not your skin color-it’s your attitude. Police officers were doing their jobs. Be thankful-they were attempting to protect your residence.

Let’s see…two men were trying to break in because he didn’t have his key, then he refused to produce ID w/his name and address when asked. What if someone were actually trying to break in and the police did nothing? Would he cry prejudice then as well because the police did not give a black man’s house the same protection as a white man? Of course an apology needs to be made…from him to the officers who were doing their job!!

I don’t think he deserves an apology. This is how it looked from the outside:
“someone is breaking into the neighbor’s house.”
Admittedly, he was breaking into the house, so why is it that he got all bent out of shape? Was he expecting to be instantly recognized because he is on TV? Why is he walking around with the racial chip on his shoulder.
The only thing he needed to do was to show his ID and the address printed would prove that he lived there.
What I hear in all this situation is more in line with “What, don’t you know who I am?” Rather than “this is my house, here is my ID that proves that I live here and if you give me a moment, I have more documentation inside that will prove beyond any doubt that this house is mine.”
Why did he feel like he needed to use the race card? What chip does he have on his shoulder about race? Hello! His neighbor called because his house was being broken into!

No, why didn’t Prof. Gates just show his ID? I’ve been stopped leaving work after second shift when I worked overtime a bit. I never got an apology, just an OK – move along! (I’m white)

NO! Absolutely not!!!! When the police are told that two black men are breaking into a house, that is probably all they know at that time. The cops show up, find two black men at the house. They ARE REQUIRED to further investigate. How do they investigate? They start by asking for I.D. This “victim” is telling the police to leave him alone and it’s his house, right? Well show your ID, let the cops verify that he lives there, and guess what? EVERYBODY GETS TO GO HOME! Don’t argue with police who are simply trying to protect the public’s property. It turned out that everything in this case was legit and this guy lived here, nobody, even the police are mindreaders.

Clearly there were two sides to this story. Is it possible the officer was just trying to do his job? I think there is a distinct possibility Mr Gates was uncooperative and disrespectful. Perhaps Mr. Gates should apologize.

Did Gates have the keys to his apartment? Did the ID have the address of the home the police came to see about? If so, maybe that was a good sign. If ID was given, things could have been handled at the apartment, instead of the county jail.

How are the cops to know it’s this guy’s house unless he proves it by showing ID? He brought this on himself. If you’re caught breaking into a house, whether it be yours or somebody else’s, you presumably invite questions. The prudent thing to do, which might be beyond the comprehensibility of a Harvard professor, would be inform the police of the problem, not argue that because you are black you’re a victim of racial profiling.

It’s 2009, this is too familiar, why shouldn’t Brother Gates get an apology?

Yes he deserves an apology. However, consider this a fortunate ending to what could have turned into a headline: “Police investigate shooting of burglar, homeowner dead” or “Police shooting justified”

No apology is necessary if Gates did not identify himself when asked. He should thank the officers for checking on the house. In some cases police are not available for that as they are busy at investigation of a car accident; no injuries: move off the road: exchange name and Insurance and get out of the way of others.

Yes an apology is in order. A professional person the age of Professor Gates, possibly walking with a cane, would not break into a house because if he is seen, he could not run fast enough to escape. Why is a black person always suspect? Even entering his own home. I believe Professor Gates version. Showing his ID should have been sufficient. He deserved respect.

Henry Louis Gates Jr. Charges were dropped, but do not think white or black or any other person should get an apology. The officer was doing his job and training. Asking for I.D. is something done every day on any call big or small. Being irate etc.. doen’t help cause. would you rather have your home broken into while everyone watches and does nothing or call police for just in case moment we may need because someone was watching.

The police officers involved did the job they are sworn to do. They are not soothsayers. To confirm Gates was the homeowner, all he had to do was produce I.D. He chose, to his discredit,to resist and obstruct the police and deserved to be arrested. Those who cowardly opted to drop charges because of the loud mouth tactics of an intellectual elitist should be ashamed of themselves.

Does martin bashir have an alternate version of this story? Gates presented not one, but TWO forms of ID to the police, his Harvard ID and his Massachusetts driver’s license. But the police agenda was clear. This “negro” was going to pay for being in this “fancy house.” After all – how Dare he! Just imagine somebody like him living there… The rest is history. Read Gates account here. http://www.theroot.com/views/skip-gates-speaks?page=0,1 Does Bashir research his content before airing?
An apology from the police gang – you’ve got to be kidding. Those creeps and the city need to be sued for at least fifty million dollars.
Gates himself is not my favorite character. But it could not happen to a “nicer” guy. It takes that type of “wake up” call for people like him to really be vocal. Gates was lucky that he was in “that neighborhood” and have that type of ID that Bashir so interestingly seems unaware of. A lesser personage, in the “ghetto” or somewhere less consequential – the cops would have shot him dead.
Bashir: get a new job.

Yes and this is only a relection of our society. The prejudice against African American men is still prevalent.

I have heard that if you do not have anything to hide you do not get upset when you are ask a question.

He teaches African AMerican Studies and is obsessed over the black man’s struggle and thus has tunnel vision assuming ALL police officers racially profile it is sad someone who is suppose to be a scholar is so IGNORANT!!

Enough! I think the best thing for police to do at this time, is to stop answering these ludicrous calls about suspicious people breaking into a home.
Shame on that professor’s neighbor for calling the police in the first place.
The police should give any alleged suspect who happens to be black and automatic pass. do not stop them for any reason any where.
If the call happens to be a real call oh well, too bad for the victim in that particular case, because it is surely better to not offend anyone.
Or maybe it is time to block all white males from becoming police at all. bar them based on their race. then this will never happen because surely black officers never stop black people based on suspicious activity.
Also why is it suspicious any way for anyone to be breaking into a home in the first place?
And why did the police not realize a block or two away that this was the owner of the home?
And why should someone breaking into a home be required to show ID in the at all? Just leave them alone if that is what they like to do then so be it!

Of course Prof Henry Gates deserves an apology. While the police officers might have been within their rights to ensure the Prof was who he proclaimed himself to be, they still should have (and would have under other circumstance) apologized immediately after learning who he was, without even needing to be pressured into it. They would have done so had it been BILL Gates. I’d stake my reputation upon that fact.

No apology necessary. Why must everything be about the color of ones skin and not the basic facts. The officers were responding to a call of two male blacks breaking into a home. Is it incomprehensible that the officers upon arriving to the location might investigate further and upon observing a male black inside would request identification?? Perhaps Mr. Gates owes the officers an apology for criticizing them for doing the very job they were sworn to do. Had they just drove by not actually seeing someone trying to break in and someone was in fact inside burglarizing the home or worse say a home invasion, Mr. Gates would be claiming that the officers neglected to thoroughly do their job. Had he simply identified himself and not had the “it’s because I’m black complex” there would be nothing to talk about! Does/has racial profiling occur? absolutely but I’m sorry folks you’re way off here.

Yes, an apology alone is not enough. How the police conducted himself is questionable and this should be investigated to prevent future situations. Why should an arrest have taken place? Indignation or belligerence is not disorderly conduct. That’s why the charge was dropped. Mr. Gates is a world class citizen and if he said it was racial profiling it was. An apology, further investigation of Mr. Gates was treated by the officer who apparently over reacted and further training should be mandated. Furthermore, why should a public servant hesitate to apologize to a law abiding citizen for their inappropriate response to what should have been a simple matter. I thought about the young black man in New York that was shot multiple times by the police going into his home. This issue is another indication of America’s continued denial of racial problems

Acording to a Washington Post article, when Gates was asked by the police to come out of the house, “Instinctively I knew I was not to step outside.” He was determined that this was going to be a racial issue. The police would have followed the same procedure with a white mane in the identical circumstances. The decision to escalate was made by Mr. Gates. He deserves no appology.

No way. Racial profiling? How lame! A break in was reported. Regardless of the feelings or motives of the person reporting it, the officer responded appropriately. I would hope that race had nothing to do with why the caller reported the break in. Regardless of Gates’ position in academic circles, that doesn’t mean he can’t be a jerk. He should be thankful that the police responded so promptly to a potential crime at his home.

I don’t believe dr gates should be apologized to. I also believe that he should be grateful to the officer despite any ill feelings. Additonally, I suspect that Dr. Gates would feel differently if two black men had broken into his home and burglarized it. And I wonder that if two men had burglarized his home and the police had not taken action would he be crying incompetency to the force? Or, dare I say it, racial disregard? sorry doc !

Good Lord…I can only pray that someone would alert the police if one or two were breaking into my house…who is the profiler ? The one who reported the incident or the police ,doing their job responding? or either? Was this a simple response of a responsible citizen witnessing a break in? Who’s to say the one who called in this apparent crime was not of a beautiful dark complection to begin with? One who witnesses crimes often regardless of race. PLease forgive me if I am wrong but It seems to me the man that feels he is wronged here may see that the police may have stopped all his worldly belongings from being in the hands of real criminals , which let us face it , we are in the midst of more often then we want to be. I feel that being a white man in America , I have never been given any special treatment in any encounter with the police ,ever. I look at other wordly events that take place and often wonder if these people were Latino, Asian, Black ….Any Race besides white.. would this same flag be raised?… PLease take for example the news I read today about the under cover officer , Today, who followed a white male,his eratic driving, Got into a fist fight/wrestle with, and then shot four shots killing the 24 year old minnesota man, in what appears to be an unarmed man . Read the story and you will find the officer never identified himself as an officer untill after the shots were fired. I have read the excerps of the sympothy some feel Mr.Graves deserves and I wonder…. Does he deserve it? Let us understand Criminals come in all profiles, Those with white hair and a cane to those with youth and a ciggarette hanging out of their mouth , regardless of race. I was harrased ,by the authorities,in my home town as a young white male. I for one have accepted all races in America and I think I speak for a Huge majority……I think Mr.Graves is upset as one would be entering their own home and being stopped. Mr.Graves did you over exagerate at all ? Flying off the handle before the whole thing could be resolved?,,,I honestly don’t think I would have been treated ANY different under the circumstances that I have read

no he does not deserve an apology because he over reacted with the officer. You would have thought that Gates would have had enough sense to just call a damn locksmith and none of this would have happened.

Tough question, but I have to say no. If he was trying to break into his house, then he should understand and produce an ID. Once they realized that it was his home, they should have let him go, no matter how belligerent the police said he was. I know I would be furious.

I was quite angered but not surprised that this occurred with Mr. Gates. People who take their jobs as a positon of power rahter than that of a posiion of responsibility approach things differently. I stronly suspect that the officer choose the former, had he choosen the latter we would not be hearing about this incident. After finding that Mr. Gates lived in the home, he should have apologized and gone on with his work. To “save-face” he choose to flex his muscle and arrest Mr.Gates. To those “Holier-than thou” people who feel that the officer was correct, maybe they should walk in Mr. Gates’ shoes to see how bias people can be. AFTER ALL, WHO IS HE TO OWN A HOME IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD? YES, THE OFFICER (DEPT.)SHOULD APOLOGIZE!

people seem to be saying he was a upstanding citizen because he worked at harvard. probably the whole situation could have been avoided by remaining calm and producing an id. which if he didn’t have it, still remain calm and verify that he lived there. nothing is
achieved by acting irrational when someone has the power and authority over you. the police are not wrong or the enemy all the time. no need for race baiters here.

He absolutely deserves an apology.

He certainly deserves an apology. I’d want one if an officer did that to me and i’m white.

I’m a gay man. The next time any cop asks me anything at all I will scream and rant that I’m being singled out because I’m gay, even though the cop is trying to protect my home. Maybe it will get me my 15 minutes of fame that I’ve been looking for.

People really need to know the facts of the situation and circumstances before assuming this man didn’t present his state and university identification, which wasn’t enough for the officer. Yes, he deserves an apology and vendication by speaking to the public about his experience. Some people still don’t get it…can you say in need of Diversity training, let’s begin with that degree.

NO! An apology undermines law enforcement.It rewards people who think they don’t have to abide by reasonable rules. An apology feeds Gate’s claim that the policeman was racist. Gates, a professor, needs to apologize to Harvard for acting worse than one of his students.

No. The police were just doing their job. Gates should be glad they were looking out for the interest of his home. The break-in could have been real. For Gates to try and make a racial issue out of it is absurd. It implies that Gates is a racist himself. Leave the police alone to do their job and protect us citizens, Gates. They do not have time to waste on Gates outrageous claims. Gates should be ashamed of himself and should apologize to the police. He should then thank them for looking out for his interest.

Why didn’t this guy do like any law abiding citizen would have done? Simply show his identification to prove he was in fact the home owner. The man sounds like a typical angry black man and shows he is the one that is racist, not the white police officer. This claim of race profiling is getting mighty old.
Next time his house might really get burlarized by a couple of black men, then who is going to call the police? Not me.

Yes Prof. Gates deserves a BIG apology and the white officer needs a “history lesson”. The officer should be familar with the residents on his beat. I know Prof. Gates and I live in California. Without a formal reprimand this officer will next arrest the President when he appears in the area of the officer’s beat to purchase burgers and pizza. I don’t believe Prof. Gates was belligerent. The officer realized his mistake and elected to allege “belligerent conduct” to cover up his stupidity and ignorance.

They both need to apologize to each other. I’m black and I feel that both were in the wrong, even though Dr. Gates is at home he has to to be mindful of the situation he goes around preaching about black folks needs to this that and the other, now instead acting live the dignified public servant he is he brought himself to a level that cause certain white people react as if he was some young hoodlum, he certainly knows better after watching some of PBS specials I never thought that Dr. Gates would be race baiter, the problem with officer he needs more culture and realize that all black folks arent criminals and you have got to make yourself get more information to make better decision. Cause you could lose your job and start a cycle problems with one mistake
Both need to apologize and move on.

apologize for what???? doing their job? what do you expect police officers to do when they are investigating anything..they ask for ID to verify who you say you are.. or would you like them to take your word for it???? jeeeshhh get a brain people

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) when arriving at the scene of a call-in of “suspicious activity” of two men appearing to be forcing their way into a house: Ask for ID, verify wants or warrants of person on ID. Witnessed by others, including Harvard Police department – Gates was being disorderly when the police officer was doing his job. No apology, tell Al and Jesse to stay home and inform Professor Gates to abide by the ethics as an employee of Harvard: Conduct yourself in a prefessional manner as to NOT bring discredit upon yourself of Harvard.

Knowing that he did,in fact, force his front door open, I cannot understand why the professor did not thank the officer who came to his door trying to determine that there had been no unlawful break-in. I don’t care if the person who appears to be breaking into my home is black, white or purple–I hope if anyone sees anything suspicious, they call the police and the matter is investigated. So, no, NO APOLOGY!

Oh, yes, he deserves an apology, and the officer needs to be reprimanded and have this put in his permanent record. I’ve seen/know too many cops who have the attitude that any “disrespect” by a citizen deserves punishment. The cop was wrong and should have backed off once the ID was produced. End of story.

Gates should apologize to the officer. One thing I have learned in the last few days, we are indeed a racist country. Gates and his defenders can’t see what they have become, the people they claim to despise.

If the black officer shown in the picture asked for the id, then no as he was just trying to protect the guy’s house. If the officer was white, then yes as he is clearly racist,

If cops came to a person’s house because they thought someone was breaking in, I think most people would invite them in for coffee. There HAS to be something else going on here.

If he reacted with indignation upon initial contact with the police, then, no, he does not deserve an apology. I suspect he would have been incensed if the police had NOT responded to a report that two men were attempting to force entry into his home if those men were not he and his driver.
He likely received the same treatment any other person – white/black/purple – would have received under the same circumstances in the same neighborhood, for which I would have been grateful if I lived there.

The stories coming out give different versions of what happened. It is the details that matter. If Mr. Gates produced his identification but asked for the Officer’s in return and was refused, the Officer owes Gates an apology. I feel that an Officer who is hesitant to provide identifying information is also unsure that what he or she is doing is lawful or they are just being spiteful. It appears that the Officer was invited into the home by Gates, so that lends some credibility to Gates’ story that he did provide identification. I would be short tempered too if I came home from China…long trip…got locked out of my house and then someone called the cops on me. I don’t know what it is like for law enforcement in that area, but it probably doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out Gates was not in the middle of a robbery. Arresting Gates after he produced I.D., probably because he said something like…”you don’t know who you’re messing with” is an abuse of power and an embarrassment to everyone involved, including Gates. I think it is necessary to have a really thick skin in a stressful job like law enforcement, for which the community rarely rewards or thanks you for your efforts. Getting verbally abused is no one’s idea of fun, but attempting to deescalate the conflict by the Officer providing I.D. would probably have gone a long way in resolving Mr. Gates anger.

No, he does not deserve an apology. He should be thanking the neighbor who called the police, and he should be thanking the police for responding to the call. The whole incident could have been diffused simply by Mr. Gates producing his ID. It’s disappointing he incited this incident by refusing to identify himself, and then used the race card to fuel the flames. Shame on you, Mr. Gates.

Of course he deserves an apology. When Professor Gates complied and produced his identification, the matter should have been resolved and no arrest should have occurred.
Also, because of incidents such as this one that continue to occur, there is no doubt in my mind that Affirmative Action practices must continue.
“Affirmative action practices should never end. Though the mountain has been climbed, and the people have stood on its peak, the realized dream must be constantly nourished by a society who tries to understand how it feels to walk in another’s shoes. If Affirmative Action practices are annihilated, the compassion that partners up with Affirmative Action practices withers away. Human nature reveals to us that prejudice and bigotry are a part of the human condition, therefore there remains a need for Affirmative Action in the USA.”

YES!

Gates was already inside his house and had shown proof that the house belonged to him (his ID) but the police kept questioning him. Gates accused the police of racial profiling, while the police accused him of becoming “belligerent.” Frankly, that’s a cop out that police tend to use whenever somebody gets “uppity,” especially people of color. I think much more than an apology to Gates needs to happen.

The officer should apologize to Mr Gates…………not every black man is a BURGLAR……JUST like every white man is not a burglar

The right think to have done was for the police officer to verify that Mr. Gates was the resident of that house and called his supervisor. Instead he asked for backup from other officers because Mr. Gates was a black man. Not only does he deserve an apology but the whole squad needs diversity training on talking with black folks in an ivy league neighborhood. Some of us do make it but it’s a shame that since we are black we are still considered second class citizens.

The police were merely doing their job and had he not made a racist charge out of it…he should have realized that it was a safety measure of protection for his property. No! He should not have an apology…he should apologize for making the false charge of racism!

Of course he deserves an apology and the officer should get reprimanded if not fired. This exact same scenario played out in a movie called Amos and Andrew starring Nicolas Cage and Samuel Jackson. It was totally uncalled for. The officer could have politely asked if he lived there without the attitude and this never would have escalated. The cops must learn that they have to obey the law, including the Constitution and Bill of Rights. A person must be secure in their own home or else our country is no longer what it once was.

Why should he not recieve an apology from the police? Even he was upset, I think the police could have handle this better. Why did the police not go into his house once they were shown the proper ID with the same address they were summon to? Why, because in America the only people who are right is a white person. Today people only see color first. A person of color is always guilty first, because they are a person of color. Our Police Department across the United States need more training in how to handle these situation. Yes, I feel that he deserves a public apology from the Police Department.

Gates deserves an apology. The police should have dropped it once Gates displayed his state and faculty id but once again the police took it too far.

According to accounts I’ve read in the Boston papers, Prof. Gates DID produce ID and proved that he was the homeowner. The officer still persisted to agressively question him as if he were guilty of something. This appears to be another incident demonstrating an unfortunate pattern of behavior for the Cambridge police – it’s just that this time they arrested a well known and well spoken black man who is not afraid of being vocal about abuse.
As a scholar and professor of African and African American history and American race relations, Professor Gates is well-equipped to know racism when he sees or experiences it. I believe the officer and the city of Cambridge owes him a profuse and sincere apology – as does the neighbor who called police for the alledged break-in. How does s/he not know or recognize the professor?

The police were doing their job, but how did they aproach Doctor Gates? “We need to see some ID to be sure this is your house?” “Up against the wall” and show us some ID? “An attempted burglary was reported, and we need to see your ID to be sure this is your house?” If a white man of the same age, dressed the same way, and being assisted by another white man, were accosted, would the police be “rough edged” or polite and business like? It is all in the approach and attitude. I think there was overreaction on both parts, but my sympathy is with Dr. Gates.

Professor Gates indicated that he tried to show not one, but two pieces of identification. I believe the officer acted overzealously and Professor Gates most assuredly deserves an apology.

Trust. If Professor Gates did not show ID immediately, he would have been shot. The cop would have then said he thought he was reaching for a gun.

If I (a white man)were climbing in through the window of my house and a black officer asked me for my ID; I would be thankful that the black officer was doing his job. If I became angry with the officer then I am the one who is wrong. I would not feel that the black oficer needed to apologize. Man he was protecting my property.

No apology necessary. The police were doing their job. In fact, Gates would have every right to be angry if they had NOT been there.
As for the racist aspect? That would never have arisen if he was white and the same thing happened. It’s ridiculous. It’s like the police are being put in the position where they’re darned if they do and darned if they don’t.

no, he doesn’t. An officer is called into the situation blindly and when anyone is asked for ID they should comply especially if they are doing nothing wrong. If you were faced with danger everyday, and don’t always know where that danger lies, you cannot assume anything. Gates should be pleased that the police responded just in someone was breaking into his home. COLOR MEANS NOTHING!

Are you kidding??? Of course he deserves an apology!!! This is a prime example of the police OVER reacting.

Yes, he deserves an apology. Anyone in their right mind knows this. Once the Professor showed his ID, this should have been enough and therefore, the officer shouldn’t have had any problems providing his badge number either.

Look at the man. Does he dress like a burglar? And how old is he? I can see my very white elderly father being royally hacked under the same circumstances. And my equally white mother! SHE would be raising a loud and voluble ruckus. He DID produce the ID and they should have swallowed their pride and backed off.

He not only deserves an apology, he ought to consider a law suit. I don’t believe he brought up the race thing first. It is a nasty mess, but I honestly think the cops thought the house was being broken into, but when the man said “I live here” they were not very accepting and it went downhill from there.

Yes, he deserves an apology. Once Gates produced the id validating his residence the officer should have left, his continued pursuit was an abuse of power and unnecessary to say the least. An arrest was completely unfounded, thus the dropped charges.

I would think it is standard procedure for an law officer to acertain the identity of the persons trying to jimmy a door after a report of an attempted burglary.
I think the question the police officer should have responded with was “Would you ask me that question if I was black?”.
Why is everything a race issue?

America should be ashamed of the way they treat the african american and the latino community.
My question is: How would the neighbor no know who Mr. Gate was. Was she new to neighorhood or was she angry at him for some reason? Did she want him out of the neighborhood all together?

As I understand it, he was NOT arrested for breaking and entering (his own home), he was arrested for disorderly conduct, which can occur anywhere – in your home, in a church, in a courtroom. There is NO location that is exempt from a person performing in a disorderly manner. I laud the police for offering an apology, although I don’t believe one is called for. I question WHO is the person who raised the race card!!! After all, the same arrest would likely have been made regardless of the race of the suspect.

No apology necessary for doing their job. If Gates had acted sensibly and shown his ID as requested, then the whole situation would have been avoided. After all, the two men were observed and reported to be “breaking” into the house. Who could have known the door was jammed?

He deserves at least an apology. It is an outrage that such things still happen and that people think it’s OK. I totally agree with Obama who, I might add, is in a position to know – which us white folks AREN’T. A white man would have been approached by the police but the misunderstanding would have been quickly resolved. We have got to break out of our little bubble and work hard to understand and care about people who walk outside our bubble. In fact , the bubble needs to start to dissolve – that was the message of the Obama campaign – we CAN come together.

He does not deserve an apology! He did not follow a simple police request and became indigent. He got what anyone would expect!

No apology needed. IF he did indeed refuse to produce ID then the officer had no choice but to arrest him. Here is a question no one has asked. Why didn’t he leave a key with a neighbor? Doesn’t he know his neighbors? I know mine and one of them has a key for emergency reasons. If he’d done that then he could have simply used that key to get in.

Racism is alive and well in the U.S. This type of incident happens everyday. He deserves an apology but he probably will not receive an apology. We assume that the police officer’s report is correct. Unfortunately many American citizens know that the Police report is not always accurate.

Absolutely NOT. First of all, we don’t really know what happened between the two parties, but what we do know is that the officer was called to the site by a third party and when he confronted the individual, Mr. Gates and asked for identification, Mr. Gates gave him the ID but not without telling the cop he was being profiled because he was black. Had it been a real breakin and the cop did not ask for an ID and believed the person was the homeowner, what would Mr. Gates say then. When an officer request an ID, give it to him . Don’t take it out on the cop trying to do his job. As for Obama, he should have stayed out of it. By weighing in, he took a side without knowing all the facts.

Yes. Mr. Gates deserves (2) apologies in opinion. The first apology should come from his neighbor who made the call to police. I’m sure her biased description of two black males breaking into a neighbor’s home didn’t accurately described (2) middle aged men who were dressed like law abiding citizens and not weaking face masks. The second from the police department for their agressive behavior towards Gates and his driver. If the (2) men were white. I’m sure the neighbor would have assumed it was a wellness check of some sort. The neighbor should publicly come forward and request the police to apologize.

Gates has an attitude problem, he should apologize to the police and the public.

I find it sad that a Harvard professor is playing the race card. If I had been asked to produce ID at my own home, I would have no problem, and be greatful that our police are doing their job. The professor acted like a thug, by yelling at the officer who was just doing his job. All he had to do was produce ID and say thank you to the officer for his concern; but no, he had to bring the race issue into it. As the white mother of a half-black son, I teach him not to be concerned with color. It is sad a Harvard professor still has insecurities about his race.

duh……arrested IN HIS OWN HOME – how does that happen?

No apology should be needed. Actually Mr. Gates should thank his neighbor and the police to be looking out for his property. I would like to have a neighbor like that. Mr. Gates get over it and grow up. Everything isn’t about race, unless you want it to be. What color is the neighbor that called it in?

When is it wrong to not show ID to a cop at your own home? And didn’t this guy show proof he lives there, albeit, eventually? And he wasn’t arrested for not showing an ID, so I don’t understand why the issue of being respectful to law enforcement, or showing an ID is at issue. This is Cambridge, MA… not some small town where everyone knows everyone. BTW, who gets arrested for being “belligerent”… because the officer feelings got hurt? The minute the officer realized that this was a racially sensitive situation, he should have acted professionally. The law is meant to serve the people. Not because you can get away with it. So at the end of the day, the officer will get away with it, because the law says so.

no, he does not deserve an apology. The media now need to get the officers side of the story since they have the supreme leaders side of the story. BHO needs to apologize to the Cambridge Police Dept.

If it had been two white men,know one would even called the police.Profiling as usually.The president said the police
was stupid.The man showed his ID.Now it
is the same oh same.He say she say.An
America continues it’s racist practices.

I do not think an appology should be given based on what I have read. It depends on how accuarate the news reports are. The President should apogoly to the police officer, the president does not have enough to go on to say the officer acted stuiply.

Absolutely NOT!! No apologies warranted!

NO gates should have been arrested. boma should get the facts befor he runs his mouth. boma is bigoted in his reaction.

Why didn’t they ask for ID in the beginning if the person stated he lived there? Proving who he was would have been out of the question because then they would have to let him go. Not knowing gave them reason to handcuff a Black man on national TV again. I know the Cambridge Police Dept because my husband was on it for 20 yrs trying to prove how racist they were. Dr. Gates deserves an apology.

Gates should be apologizing to the police The officer was just doing his job. If Gates had calmly showed him his ID without getting so angry, the incident would have been over. The police were called to a possible break in, of course they had to ask Gates to prove he lived there. It was not racism, it was the police responding to a 911 call.
Gates turned it into a racial incident by saying they wouldn’t ask for his ID if he was white. How absurd. Should the police just take the word of every person who is found at the scene of a possible robbery? Gates over reacted and neighbors even said he was out of control. Gatess should just shut up and be thankful the police dropped charges.

In 2010 my family will have lived in Cambridge in this house for 100 years, I am third generation. I have had 3 sons who at one time or another have had run ins with the Cambridge Police. It is a given, that when you are approached by a police officer and asked for ID that you present it. You never talk back to or disrespect an officer doing his duty. Had Prof. Gates did as requested we would not be talking about this.

Dr Gates is as well known as Ken Burns from his many appearances on PBS so the Cambridge Police were pretty stupid not to have recognized him.
I can’t imagine how fatigued he must have been, to arrive home from China and find his door had been tampered with And to then let himself in the back door ,disable the alarm, and return to the front door to try to make it open must have been frustrating to say the least. Which means the police had not done their job effectively in the first place so when they arrived on the scene and acted like he might be an intruder was just the final straw that sent him into a rage. He had a right to ask their name and (I guess badge number.) A professional officer in law enforcement would have maintained a calm demeanor. We need to remember, that although the police may not like the way a person chooses to vent frustration by swearing or yelling, they serve us. In other words if we don’t like the way a public servant handles their duties, we can act to have them removed. Fire police to dumb to know a public figure like Dr Gates.

yes he deserves an apology and more i think that he should sue!!!!
i am really tired of people being ignorant and stupid.it’s 2009 and we aren’t goimg any where so get over it.

I don’t think the professor should even be asking for an apology…if there was any “racial profiling” being done it seems that it may have been on his part. As I understand it Mr. Gates arrived home after a long day & probably was very irritated with having to break into his home (probably with himself for not getting the sticking door fixed). When the police arrived responding to a possible breaking & entering call, he refused to show the officer his identification. It seems to me that his irritation blossomed into anger and the racial profiling remarks probably started to fly. Just because someone is highly respected and well known doesn’t mean that they can’t behave like a horse’s … when they are having a bad day.

The police officers deserve an apology from Obama for being called stupid. Gates DOES NOT deserve an apology. He was charged with disorderly conduct because he became beligerent with the officers. Should he get away with that because he’s black? What nonsense. Gates is probably so used to having his butt kissed by students, he couldn’t believe he actually had to answer to some authority.

The President showed how ignorant he is of the facts involved in the case. Disorderly conduct is for refusing to do as instructed. The officers received a call of a possible burglary in progress, they had the right to stop and question any situation to confirm or deny the suspicions that they have. If the professor wanted to act as if he was somebody and refuse to give his Id after being asked several times or by refusing to comply with the officers directions until they confirm or deny the circumstances then he is guilty of the charge. Who cares who he is. In my past 15 years of law enforcement experience, those that think of themselves as being somebody escalate the situation more than defuse. All he had to do was show his ID showing that he was at his house and that the call was unfounded and they would have been on their way. Thumbs up for the officer, thumbs down for the President who has no idea of the reality of police work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!And Thumbs down for the prosecutor for bowing down to politics.

The fact that the police answered the call to serve and protect him and his property; the fact that all they knew when approaching the residence is what they were told by the dispatcher; that fact that they found what was reported, i.e., a home broken into by an African American, I would have to conclude that asking for ID was more than adviced and good practice. Wouldn’t anyone…unless they have something to prove or another agenda that would never be reported in the news.

What I want to know is: why is Nightline asking this question? On the one hand there is the claim that the professor refused to show the officer his I.D. On the other hand, it was stated that the officer continued to harrass the professor after he did produce an I.D.
That so many people had a definite opinion, either for or against an apology, shows that we still have strong opinions regarding a persons race.

No. He is just another example of a minority (specifically black) individual that expects preferential treatment because of race. He was belligerent toward the officers and they did their job correctly. Now he claims because he’s more white than black that he’s not making these claims because of race, but we know he’s saying that to justify his actions which were inappropriate toward the officers. He should be thankful that these officers responded and made the effort to ensure that he was the owner. The police should put his house on a list of those to not respond to so when a crime is committed they won’t be held responsible and won’t offend the ‘burglar’. Finally, Obama has no business commenting on this situation, as now he is establishing a side he is on.

Let me get this straight. If someone appears suspicious and may be breaking into his house, and they are black, he wants the police to take their word that they live there? They should not be bothered because they are black?

No, Gates does not deserve an apology. He was charged with disorderly conduct because he was beligerent to the officers. Should he have been allowed to get away with that because he is black? The officers deserve an apology from Obama for being called stupid

Those officers should be highly honored for performing their thankless job, confronting a potential housebreaker. They, I understand, refused to simply identify themselves, just identify and prove who they were. Would it had been better if they had not responded at all; and supose it was poeple of evil intentions? WHERE DO STATISTICS ENTER WHEN CONSIDERING RACIAL ISSUES?

Prof. Gates should apologize to Officer Crowley.

Yes, he deserves an apology. But any lawyer will tell their client, “Do not apologize.“ Because that opens one up for a lawsuit. Not just the police officer, but the police dept. and even the city government. A settlement, maybe, but an apology, unlikely. There is more here than racism. The police officer knew he would be in trouble. Like so many police officers who find them selves in a compromising situation, they try to justify there actions by arresting the their subject on trump up charges. The original mistake was most likely due to racial profiling. The final mistake – the arrest – was an all to typical police harassment. Race was probably only a minor factor in that decision. If it had been a white Nun, he still might have arrested her to cover his un justified harassment.

I think the comments by the Cambridge
representative were on point: both Dr. Gates & the lawmen made errors in judgement, comments & reactions to the
situation; both sides should publically apoligize to each other. Unfortunately, racism is very much alive in 2009 in America. God (please) bless America with
better respect for one another.

James,
You are so right on!!!

Maybe the cops use racial profiling because it works,it wouldn’t still be around if it didn’t. When the black folks start acting like the white folks then they will be treated the white folks.

President Obama is correct in labelling the police officer’s behavior as “stupid.” I also believe that it was racially motivated. He and his department should apologize to Dr. Gates and train its officers against racial profiling.

I am a half Hispanic woman, who is married to a white man. My husband’s first wife was half Taiwanese. We have a half black nephew. I believe that this whole instance is being blown out of proportion. If any individual acts incorrectly when being questioned by the cops, then they deserve to get arrested. If you look at the picture, with the article correctly, he is still being belligerent and there is a black cop involved in what is going on. To me, it seems as if too much is being made about one person acting badly, as so many of us have.
Mr. President, stay out of this. Your job is to protect our country and this ridiculous disagreement is not what you need to spend your time on. How about spending some time correcting our deficit.

Lets see, any person without a racial agenda would welcome a police officer looking out for the well being of their home. If it were me, and I were locked out of my house and had to “break in”, and a watchful neighbor saw what looked like someone trying to get in my house I would not have a problem with a police officer being there to check out why I was “breaking -in”. Instead of “coping” an attitude with the officer, and pulling the race card, why not just be glad that someone was looking out for your property?? I think this is known as “Community Watch” . Thank the Officer for protecting your home and show him your proof of ownership with cooperation and I am certain all of this could have been avoided. I believe the person with the RACE problem is Gates. Some people just the opportunity to start trouble!

The situation could have been avoided and I blame Gates for allowing it to get out of hand. I would have been more than happy to show the officer my i.d at his request and send him on his merry way out of my house. Case closed!

Can anyone say PROFILING….c’mon people. First, HE SHOWED HIS I.D. ok. So EVERYONE commenting/hinging on the fiction that he didn’t your argument is (Of Course) NULL & VOID. Secondly, instead of the report simply stating two men trying to force their way into a home, it was stated as “two black males with backpacks”….so race was automatically associated with the negative ethos, logos, and pathos that America is systemic for. Next, in the time frame that the call was made the Harvard Professor entered throught the rear and proceeded to the front to bring his luggage in from a recent trip and NOT in a clandestine manner AND was notifying the property owner about the jammed lock when the police showed up….NOT removing/burglarizing items from the home. Finally, he established his Identity but by that time he was “irate”, which he had the right to be since any american (especially those NOT of an “ethnic” background) would be as upset, since he demanded the officer’s name and badge number. Now this all happened during MIDDAY and a rational officer OR the OTHER OFFICERS would have noticed (I don’t know) maybe a Photo or two, mail, the call to the property owner, and the fact the he stayed instead of fleeing the scene.
Its amazing how the standard shifts when race comes into play and how OBLIVIOUS the majority are to it since they only know one perspective. Why is the question of should he get an apology existent?
I would love to know if the area has seen a recent rash of crime and if so, has the neighbor who reported this incident or Sgt. Crowley gone as far beyond the call of duty to bring Justice to ALL.

No, he does not need or deserve an apology. Period. Black, white or other, he disobeyed an order. If a Law Enforement Officer request to see a legal form of I.D. such as a drivers license and the person refuses, argues or does not comply, then that person is violating the law. If the Officer arrests the person, then he is doing his job. Its not harrasment, or racial profiling, its enforcing the law. Instigators like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have kept the race issue alive for their own personal gain. You never ever hear of a white person screaming foul when a black officer makes an arrest. So, Mr Gates, do not lock yourself out of your house and if you do and an Officer of the Law ask for identification, pull up your big girl panties and give it to him. He is only doing his job.
By the way. Working on 17 yrs experience as an Officer. Thank you.

No, he does not deserve an apology. I am a woman and over 50 and not black and I was arrested for that same thing when I left my keys at work. I did not expect an apology and I was glad to know my neighbors were looking out for me and my house. It was dark and thy heard glass breaking.

Yes, he deserves an apology but will he get it only if the President makes them or is he remind in the eyes of the media. I live in Arizona and an officer stopped me in informed me that I did not stop at a stop sign and this car was reported stolen. The office wanted until I stopped at a red light and then went thought green light and requested for me to pull in a dark area. Then refused to get me or let me see his badge information so I called 911 only to find out the he was not suppose to be in the area and then did not call in that he stopped me. I informed him that 911 did not see him in the area and requested to speak with him he requested and his supervisor was called out. The officer then stated that he did not pull up any information on my car stating that the car was stolen. Again it was only because my neighbor (who is a lawyer) stated that he would be filing a complaint in the morning did the officer stated that he was sorry it was a long night in the car did not seem like it was mine.

Yes, he deserves an apology. This type of action by officers occurs much too often.

Of course Professor Gates deserves an apology;he was in his own home! Wouldn’t we all be outraged to be so treated?

yes, mr. gates deserves an apology. mr. gates did show his identification. the police officer refused to give his name or badge number AND was insolent, unprofessional and stupid.

Wow. It never ceases to amaze me that this level of ignorance still exist in this country. Why is there a question about this incident at all? A white man would never even have to dignify this type of scenario with a response of any kind, because this would never happen to him.
In America you are innocent until proven guilty. I am ashamed and worried for us all… red and yellow, black and white.

The gentleman should be thankful officers were investigating a reported what appeared to be a breakin and should have stated so. The officers were doing their job. Situations such as this does nothing to entice good men and women to enter the police force. It’s a damned if you do and damned if you don’t situation.

No. The policeman was called for a break in, and was simply doing his job, adopting standard procedures such as verification of identity, cooperation, and what not. I find it disturbing that some people will always try to pull the race card and never believe its their fault. What kind of example is the President setting up by saying that the Police acted “stupidly”, and that the Police profile Blacks and Latino? Who would the president or Gates call if someone breaks into their homes? Duh!

The officer deserves an apology from Mr. Gates.
It was reported that Glen Campbell was smart enough and proper to go back to the police station and apologize directly to the officers when Glen Campbell was drunk and arrested by the police. When an officer is called to a scene, you always respect the officer performing his job.

President Barack Obama did not know all of the facts when he made such a wrongful judgment of the police. Gates entered through the back of the house leaving a different black man, “his driver” at the front door. Once Gates entered the home he returned to the front door and the two men fiddled w the door to see why it was stuck. When the police arrived (a neighbor saw an unknown person trying to enter the house), they acted on the call they received. Then Gates got all huffy and the police, when Gates yelled he owned the house, requested ID, Gates did not produce it right away and instead caused a ruckus. Thus, doing their job, the police charged him with disorderly conduct as any of us (black, white, brown, yellow) should have been with the same behavior. Gates owes them an apology as well as the public for allowing the flames of racism to be fueled by all the spin!!! Shame on him!

Yes, he owes the professor an apology…He should have done that voluntarily when he realized his mistake. America, America, when will we abolish, truly abolish racism?

Absolutely. The police officer deserves an apology.

Yes, Dr. Gates does deserve an apology. It is this attitude that police don’t have to apologize that condones the racial profiling that definitely exists in America.

No. Gates owes the officer an apology. It sounds like Mr. Gates was offended that the officer didn’t recognize his “famous” profile; and his only justification for verbally abusing the officer was to claim racism. I’m deeply disappointed in the President for being so one sided in his support of Mr. Gates. In this regard the President has replied stupidly. Although, overall I’m still glad I voted for Obama. I’m purposely not using the title Professor, because Mr. Gates is “acting up” outside of any academic venue.

No apology. He was asked to produce an ID and got belligerent. The..how dare you. don’t you know who I AM!. Considering that someone was trying to break into his house previous to this incident, Mr Gates should have been happy that the Officer asked for hid ID.

It is stupid to believe the police owe an apology for doing their job correctly.

I have difficulty understanding why Professor Henry Gates wasn’t known in the community by the local police officers. Did he recently move to the area? I don’t see why the police officers don’t issue an apology and we all move on. One has to understand Mr. Gates’ anger and rising frustration at being arrested while entering his own home. If he is the only black living in a predominately white neighborhood area, naturally he would feel he was racially profiled! If he said a few “choice” words, one can certainly understand why! Yes, the police were right to respond to the call. However, once it was proven it was Mr. Gates’ own home, an apology could have been issued right there on the spot! Let’s not dwell on this too long; we have health care and education to reform!

Mr. Gates knew exactly what he was doing, he played the “race card”. He took the situation and is trying to demonstrate what he teaches. Racism is kept alive by blacks! Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are proof of that and
I think Mr. Gates is extremely prejudice aganist white people I don’t care what his title is. He should be apologizing to the officer. Wait did I just assume that Mr. Gates was prejudice without hearing the officers side of the story?? Hmmm, my name must be Mr. Obama!

Crowley deserves the apology from Gates and Obama and not that lame, long winded, wimpy attempt at an apology that Obama gave today. The only reason that the charges were dropped against Gates is his relationship with Obama. Not being able to apologize like a man to Crowley, shows a big lack of character on Obama’s part. Inviting them all over to the white house for a beer is such a cop out. What a wimp.

Why should the President aplogize George Jr. never did. I would like to commend the press they took something that happens every day in this Cntry and Blew it out of proportion as always. The reason we don’t have newscasters like Walter Cronkite is because these Corperations that control the news are more intrested in making a buck instead of doing the right thing. They have nothing to worry about because there in the back pulling the strings. These Executives are the ones who are making these Journalists who want to do the right thing. But can’t unless they want to lose there jobs. Any person thats a minority already know that the cops will always be the bully and give what the Bush Admin called Dis information ion time the people will get tired and finally do what they did in Iran, China and a few other contries revolt But as long as this I call the T.V generation will not do anything there to weak minded. The Cambride Cops know they got caught with there pants down an now there crying. I do not doubt that Prof, Gates was unrully but those of us that have had experiances with police know they are like the High School Bully. I have family in Law enforcment and they were picked on in High School now they are the Bullies and they know they’ll get away with it. My sister was caught speeding numerous time but was let go because her Husband is a cop. So i really feel the prisident should not apologize because he was right.

Just like Obama, I don’t think we have ALL the facts just yet. We are going by what has been reported in the press. For example, I don’t think the ID was the issue; I think it was Professor Gates WILLINGLY giving the police his ID, but Gates’ having to put up with some verbal abuse from the cops about something else. Let’s get “the rest of the story” before we judge….either Gates or the cop.

Gates owes the police department an apology

a phd holding college professor talks back to the police?? mr. gates should have his degree revoked for stupidity. you never, never, NEVER argue with the police. you fight them in court, not in the street. he, and osama, i mean obama, should plead for forgivness on their knees to the officer.
p.s. hey obama, where’s osama??!!??!!

enough already…this is a useless distraction to keep your eye off what they are going to do with your health care and our deficit/debt. We weren’t there and to rely on the liberal media’s filtering of this situation is ludricous.Most likely, Professor Gates got upset that he was being questioned at his house and threw a fit. The officer then responded and arrested him because of a bad attitude.
President Obama should have kept out of this, now, who is paying for the airfare and the beer.
Behind the seens, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are going to take away your health care. It is a classic bait and switch manuever and instead of talking about a very important issue, we are talking about a minor situation. Separate the two.
Once healthcare is approved, businesses will drop insurance coverage in favor of the lower cost option. They must in order to apease their investors. After a few years of this the government will raise rates and there will be no other viable option. If you are OK with that, go back to this debate.
If not, be a part of the health care discussion and forget about your race or political tilt. This will be a massive co-opting of the health care industry. They arent even talking about Social Security which is already spending more than it takes in…WAKE UP! Anyone that is below the age of 45 right now will most likely not be getting Social Security as it stands right now. What is your game plan?
Terry Moran…have some gonads to report on something worthwhile that might get you an Emmy. Forget MJ. Act like the 60 minutes of old and go for it.

I think both parties should apologize.
I can’t help but feel that as a scholar of African American history, Dr Gates’ was primed to scream racism too quickly. After many years of teaching about injustice, he was more ready to interpret things through that lens.
When I was recently locked out of my house, I called my brother who helped me break into my own home. As we stood on my front porch at 10:30 at night, trying to pick the lock (without much luck), my brother asked me “you do have an ID on you in case someone calls the cops, right?” Although my neighbors know me well, we knew very well the possibility of confusion. I was certainly prepared to say “I know this looks bad – but really – I live here.” I would never dream of becoming belligerent toward the police who were checking on suspicious behavior. I appreciate neighbors who keep an eye out for suspicious activity and for police who would act to protect my property.
It’s unfortunate that the police officer working to protect Dr. Gates’ property was met with such hostility. I would hope that both parties could apologize and move on.

I don’t know the whole story but from the comments I’ve been reading, maybe the officer should apologize. I can understand Gates irate demeanor and can also understand the officers doing there job and realizing there mistake. I’ve locked myself out of my car on more than one occasion. Out of all those, the cops did show up once. It was pretty bad because not only where there 3 to 4 squad cars, but also an eye in the sky. Guns were drawn and I was ordered to get on the floor, handcuffed, searched and put in a squad car. All the while the whole neighborhood spectating. In the end, I was released because I did have proof that that indeed was my car. Yes, it was in broad daylight, yes they made a mistake, and yes they were doing there job. I understood all that even though I was a bit mad at first. I was given an apology by two peace officers. Simple… but quick. They acknowledge they made a mistake. Officers can apologize, but I guess in some parts of the country its harder to do so when there is a more dominant race than another. Did I mention this happened in Los Angeles.

How a reporter or camera man was there on that specific time? Looks like prefabricated action.