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Race row scholar to meet officer Obama hosts race row beer reunion
(about 6 hours later)
The black Harvard professor controversially detained by police in his own home is to be reunited with his arresting officer at the White House. Black Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates has met the white officer who arrested him in his own home over a beer at the White House.
President Barack Obama organised the meeting between Prof Henry Louis Gates and Sgt Jim Crowley in a bid to defuse the race row that the arrest triggered. President Barack Obama organised the meeting between Mr Gates and Sgt Jim Crowley in a bid to defuse the race row triggered by the arrest.
As promised by Mr Obama, the three men will be enjoying a beer while they discuss the situation. As promised, the three men and Vice-President Joe Biden enjoyed a beer while they discussed the situation.
Mr Obama drew criticism when he described the arrest as "stupid".Mr Obama drew criticism when he described the arrest as "stupid".
Beer diplomacy The president said he hoped Thursday's meeting would offer a chance for "self-reflection".
"I noticed this has been called the 'Beer Summit'," he told reporters.
"It's a clever term, but this is not a summit, guys.
"This is three folks having a drink at the end of the day, and hopefully giving people an opportunity to listen to each other."
'Personal interaction'
Prof Gates was apprehended at his own home after a witness saw him apparently trying to force his way in.Prof Gates was apprehended at his own home after a witness saw him apparently trying to force his way in.
He was held for disorderly conduct after allegedly accusing the arresting officer, Sgt Crowley, of racism.He was held for disorderly conduct after allegedly accusing the arresting officer, Sgt Crowley, of racism.
The arrest sparked a row about the treatment of ethnic minorities by police in America.The arrest sparked a row about the treatment of ethnic minorities by police in America.
Statistics suggest that African-Americans and other minorities are more likely to be stopped by the police than white Americans.Statistics suggest that African-Americans and other minorities are more likely to be stopped by the police than white Americans.
Mr Obama commented on the incident at a televised press conference last week, saying the police had behaved "stupidly".Mr Obama commented on the incident at a televised press conference last week, saying the police had behaved "stupidly".
He was subsequently criticised for expressing opinions without being in full possession of the facts.He was subsequently criticised for expressing opinions without being in full possession of the facts.
The US president later said he regretted his comments, and invited both Prof Gates and Sgt Crowley to the White House for a discussion "over a beer". Ahead of the meeting in the White House Rose Garden, Mr Obama said he was "fascinated with the fascination about this evening".
He added: "It's an attempt to have some personal interaction when an issue has become so hyped and so symbolic that you lose sight of just the fact that these are people involved, including myself, all of whom are imperfect."