Nov 21, 2007 4:17 pm US/Central
Congressman Accuses Police Of Racial Profiling
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis Says Chicago Cops Pulled Him Over Because He's Black
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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U.S. Rep. Danny Davis
CBS
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-7th District) said Wednesday he was the victim of racial profiling.
CBS 2's Mike Parker reports, the congressman insists the only reason he was pulled over by Chicago police is because he is black.
"I hope that this was some kind of isolated instance, but I know in my heart of hearts, I know that it's not," Davis said.
The congressman said he was driving three friends home early Monday morning when two white Chicago police officers pulled him over and said he had swerved over the center line before making a left turn from Kedzie onto Douglas Boulevard.
The congressman was nailed with a $75 ticket and a date in traffic court on Dec. 28. He denies doing anything wrong.
"There was just no reason I could conjure up other than the fact that there were four black people in a car," he said.
Chicago police confirmed that a ticket was issued but said nothing about Davis' allegation that he was singled out for what he calls "driving while black."
A recent survey suggests that 59 percent of African-Americans believe they've been racially profiled in traffic stops by police. The congressman said police need to put an end to it.
"Something needs to happen and it needs to be real. And we're just a better city than that," Davis said.
He intends to fight the ticket he says was "simply wrong."
Davis is calling on city leaders to "bridge the gap" between police and the minority community.
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