Cambridge "We Have A Problem"

Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Recently, Harvard Professor, Henry Louis Gates Jr., was racially profiled by Cambridge police officer, James Crowley, who wrongfully arrested him at his own home, for daring to talk back to him.

James Crowley

This week, a second black Harvard professor has come forth, alleging "racial harassment" by the Cambridge Police, in an incident that occurred prior to Gates being racially profiled.

Harvard Professor, S. Allen Counter, stated he was wrongfully accused by his wife, on charges he was later cleared of, but a Cambridge police officer had, "Baited him to come out of his home, then arrested him."

2nd Harvard professor claims 'racial harassment' by Cambridge police

Posted: Thursday, 06 August 2009 11:15AM - Boston (WBZ Newsroom) -- Three weeks after the controversial arrest of Harvard University scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr., another black Harvard professor is claiming that Cambridge police also singled him out for unfair treatment because of his race.

Professor S. Allen Counter, who is also director of the Harvard Foundation, told the Bay State Banner that it's another example of how police use the power of their badge to try to "criminalize African-Americans." They seem to "delight" in branding black professionals as criminals, Counter said.

“I feel this is a case of racial and criminal harassment on the part of police,’’ he told the Boston Globe.

He was arrested three years ago after his former wife accused him of assaulting their 17-year-old daughter. He was found not guilty. A police officer "baited him" to come out of his home, then arrested him.

The arresting officer, William Macedo, however, told WBZ Newsradio on Thursday that police have authority to arrest a suspect wherever he or she is...

http://www.wbz.com

Gates Getting Death Threats

Harvard Professor, Henry Louis Gates Jr., is contemplating moving from his home, after a racial profiling incident, at the hands of Cambridge cop, James Crowley, caused him to receive death threats.

Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Crowley's conduct has harmed many people, as the Associated Press pointed out last week, from his fellow black officers in Cambridge, to the 911 caller, Lucia Whalen, to officer Justin Barnett, outed as a racist via his own words.

James Crowley

Gates jokes: I offered to help officer's kids get into Harvard

Updated 8:39 a.m. EDT, Mon August 3, 2009 - BOSTON, Massachusetts (CNN) -- In his first public appearance since the "Beer Summit" at the White House, Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates joked about his controversial arrest last month in Cambridge, Massachusetts...

"I offered to get his kids into Harvard if he doesn't arrest me anymore," Gates said...

Gates was charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly yelling at the officer and protesting his actions. But Gates, who is black, claimed he never raised his voice and accused Crowley of racial profiling. Charges against the professor were later dropped.

The tone at the book fair turned more serious when someone asked Gates how the arrest has affected him. "I'm still trying to figure that out and processing it. It was stressful. I was worried about my daughters."

Fortunately, he said, the press was not camped out at his family home like they were at the Cambridge residence, which is owned by the university. He admitted to receiving bomb threats and deaths threats and said the university is encouraging him to move. "I haven't been back to the Cambridge house since I got arrested so I have to make that decision."

He also said he has had to change his phone numbers and close his public e-mail account. "I received thousands of fan letters but some of the e-mails were from crazy wacko people who wrote 'You should die,' 'You're a racist" ...

http://www.cnn.com

Racist Cambridge Cop On Larry King

James Crowley's co-worker in the Cambridge Police Department, Justin Barnett, made an appearance on the Larry King show last night.

James Crowley

He and his lawyer, apologized, yet denied, Barrett, a 36-year-old police officer, is a racist, for referring to Harvard Professor, Henry Louis Gates Jr., as "banana-eating jungle monkey" which Rev. Al Sharpton stated is ridiculous.

Henry Louis Gates Jr.

It is indeed an oxymoron to apologize if you claim you did nothing wrong. Make no mistake, Barrett, used a racial slur in his email to Boston.com.

Attorney: Cop made mistake with 'jungle monkey' e-mail

(CNN) -- A Boston, Massachusetts, police officer who sent a mass e-mail referring to Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. as a "banana-eating jungle monkey" didn't intend to express bigoted views or cause pain, his attorney said in a statement Thursday night.

Attorney Peter T. Marano apologized to Officer Justin Barrett's "fellow police officers and fellow National Guardsmen, as well as to the citizens of Boston and the citizens of the United States."

"Regrettably, these words are the lasting picture people will see of Justin Barrett," Marano wrote. "Justin Barrett ... has made a mistake -- his poor choice in words is that mistake. His lack of thought into the possible outcome of using such words has caused this debate. Justin never intended for these words to bear such a racial connotation."

Barrett didn't intend "to inflame racial tensions, express prejudice or bigoted views, or inflict hurt and pain," Marano said.

Barrett, a two-year veteran of the Boston police force and a member of the National Guard, sent an e-mail to the Boston Globe and fellow Guard members in response to a July 22 Globe column about Gates' controversial arrest earlier this month....

http://www.cnn.com

Obama Meets With Gates And Crowley

Video: Mass. Policeman: White House Meeting Productive - The Associated Press

President Barack Obama met with Harvard Professor, Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Cambridge Police Sergeant, James Crowley, at the White House today, to discuss a heavily publicized racial profiling incident that transpired last week.

Left to right: Vice President Joe Biden, Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., Sergeant James Crowley and President Barack Obama

The Cambridge Police Department clearly has a problem with racial issues, as another of its officers, Justin Barnett, is embroiled in a racial flap, for inappropriately referring to Professor Gates in an email as a "Jungle monkey." Another Cambridge Police Department officer reportedly has "why-tee" license plates.

I hope Obama, Gates, Crowley and the Cambridge Police Dept. can find racial reconciliation and change the manner in which the latter (Cambridge PD) carries out law enforcement matters, as there is clearly a race based problem there.