Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., left, was interviewed on CNN in New York City last night.
Controversy over Gates arrest continues
From the blogs ...
That any Cambridge police officer would not recognize Professor Gates or adhere to the confirmation by campus police that the figure he was arresting was indeed Professor Gates raises obvious suspicions — yet another iteration of the “uppity Negro” backlash that has reached a fever pitch in the Obama era. -newblackman.blogspot.com
Now it would be naive to suggest that there is no such thing as profiling, or that black males don’t have a much greater chance of getting arrested that white males, but it seems that the only reason an arrest occurred or that it is garnering so much attention is because Gates and his supporters are trying to make it only about race. -wizbangblog.com
BOSTON. The controversy surrounding a prominent Harvard University scholar’s arrest last week continues to escalate, while President Barack Obama yesterday called it “an example of how race remains a factor in this society.”
It still isn’t entirely clear what transpired last Thursday when Henry Louis Gates Jr. was arrested outside his Cambridge home. A police report indicates Gates was screaming at the officer, called him a racist and ignored warnings to calm down.
Gates, however, denies he acted inappropriately and said the officer didn't respond to his requests for identification.
Obama said the “Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting someone when there was already proof someone was in their own home.”
The disorderly conduct charge against Gates was dropped Tuesday, but he has indicated he may seek legal action.
Meanwhile, the officer who arrested Gates — James Crowley — reportedly told WCVB-TV yesterday he won’t apologize for his actions — a day after the Harvard scholar demanded he do so.
The Cambridge police union released a statement expressing its support for the officer.
