Beverly Hills police are facing a lawsuit that alleges racial profiling against nearly 1,100 Black individuals during traffic stops.
The lawsuit, announced on Monday, represents the majority of Black drivers who were pulled over in the affluent city between August 2019 and August 2021.
According to attorney Benjamin Crump, out of the 1,088 Black motorists stopped, only two were actually convicted of crimes. This statistic raises concerns about the motives behind these traffic stops. Crump stated during a news conference, "It wasn't to deter crime. It was to send a message to Black people that we don't want your kind around here. That is racial profiling 101!"
The city of Beverly Hills has denied these allegations, asserting in a statement that the statistics presented regarding the number of convictions are a mischaracterization of the evidence in the case. They also clarified that the 1,088 arrests mentioned include individuals who were cited and released, not just those who were subject to custodial arrests. The city emphasized that the role of the Beverly Hills Police Department is to enforce the law without regard to race, and that they welcome visitors from all over the world.
The lawsuit seeks $500 million in damages for the alleged racial profiling incidents. One of the individuals who experienced a traffic stop was law clerk Shepherd York, who was pulled over for having expired license plates while driving to work. York shared his experience at the news conference, expressing feelings of humiliation, fear, and sadness. Despite his car being searched and impounded, he was never convicted of a crime.
This lawsuit sheds light on the issue of racial profiling and raises questions about the fairness and impartiality of law enforcement practices in Beverly Hills. As the case unfolds, it will be important to examine the evidence and testimonies to determine the validity of these allegations and ensure that justice is served.
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