This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8164862.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
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."
Advertisement
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.