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Black scholar arrest angers Obama | Black scholar arrest angers Obama |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The US president has said police acted "stupidly" when they arrested a black Harvard scholar outside his own home. | The US president has said police acted "stupidly" when they arrested a black Harvard scholar outside his own home. |
Prof Henry Louis Gates was held last week in Cambridge, Massachusetts, home to the top university where he teaches. | Prof Henry Louis Gates was held last week in Cambridge, Massachusetts, home to the top university where he teaches. |
Barack Obama said the US had a long history of African-Americans being disproportionately stopped by police. | Barack Obama said the US had a long history of African-Americans being disproportionately stopped by police. |
Officers were called to Prof Gates's house after a woman reported seeing two black males - the professor and his driver - trying to force entry. | Officers were called to Prof Gates's house after a woman reported seeing two black males - the professor and his driver - trying to force entry. |
Although the exact facts of the incident are disputed, Prof Gates was arrested outside his home after providing the officer with identification. | Although the exact facts of the incident are disputed, Prof Gates was arrested outside his home after providing the officer with identification. |
Mr Obama said: "I think it's fair to say, number one, any of us would be pretty angry. | Mr Obama said: "I think it's fair to say, number one, any of us would be pretty angry. |
"Number two... the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home." | "Number two... the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home." |
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President Obama: "The Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home" | |
An initial disorderly conduct charge was dropped and Cambridge police called the arrest "regrettable and unfortunate". | An initial disorderly conduct charge was dropped and Cambridge police called the arrest "regrettable and unfortunate". |
'Rogue policeman' | 'Rogue policeman' |
Mr Obama said federal officials should work with local police to "improve policing techniques so that we're eliminating potential bias". | Mr Obama said federal officials should work with local police to "improve policing techniques so that we're eliminating potential bias". |
He said that when he was in the Illinois state legislature, he had worked towards a racial profiling bill because there was indisputable evidence that African-Americans and Hispanics were being stopped disproportionately. | He said that when he was in the Illinois state legislature, he had worked towards a racial profiling bill because there was indisputable evidence that African-Americans and Hispanics were being stopped disproportionately. |
"And that is a sign, an example of how race remains a factor in the society," he said. | "And that is a sign, an example of how race remains a factor in the society," he said. |
Prof Gates has said he was "outraged" by the arrest and called the officer, Sgt James Crowley, a "rogue policeman". Sgt Crowley has refused to apologise. | Prof Gates has said he was "outraged" by the arrest and called the officer, Sgt James Crowley, a "rogue policeman". Sgt Crowley has refused to apologise. |
During the confrontation between the two men, the 58-year-old professor reportedly said: "This is what happens to black men in America." | During the confrontation between the two men, the 58-year-old professor reportedly said: "This is what happens to black men in America." |
His lawyer said Prof Gates had just returned from a trip overseas and, upon arriving at the property with a driver, found his front door jammed and had to force it open. | His lawyer said Prof Gates had just returned from a trip overseas and, upon arriving at the property with a driver, found his front door jammed and had to force it open. |
By the time police arrived at the house, he and the driver had managed to get inside the property. | By the time police arrived at the house, he and the driver had managed to get inside the property. |
According to police, Prof Gates shouted at the officer and accused him of racial bias. | According to police, Prof Gates shouted at the officer and accused him of racial bias. |