Opening comments: More at the end.
"This is something darker skin people are forced to go through on a daily basis ... we're seen as criminals, vagabonds, for cultural reasons ... it is embedded in Peel Regional Police."
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Toronto Sun - Tue. Sept. 26-06 - By Alan Cairns
Peel cops accused of racial profiling
BRAMPTON -- Peel cops racially profile "darker-skin people" on a daily basis, alleges one of two men acquitted yesterday of criminal charges laid after a bizarre arrest at a Mississauga townhouse complex last year.
Paraplegic Garrett Mannings, 24, who is in a wheelchair, and Stephen Miller, 20, both of whom are black, each called 911 and tried to help one of two victims after a double stabbing at the 5995 Glen Erin Dr. co-operative housing complex July 29, 2005.
Mannings and Miller were charged with causing a disturbance after they screamed at a Peel officer not to just stand there, but use his first aid training to help the wounded man.
Ontario Court Justice Peter Wilkie heard during a three-day hearing that Mannings was pulled out of his wheelchair. The prosecution said the pair's antagonistic screaming drew an aggressive crowd and police feared losing control. [1]
ACQUITTED
Wilkie acquitted the two last night, ruling the crowd gathered because of the stabbings and the arrival of police and ambulances, not because of the pair's actions.
Wilkie did not make any findings on police actions.
"This has renewed my faith in the justice system," said Miller, a university student and aspiring lawyer, after his acquittal.
"This is something darker skin people are forced to go through on a daily basis ... we're seen as criminals, vagabonds, for cultural reasons ... it is embedded in Peel Regional Police."
Lawyer Jason Bogle, who represented both men, said a lawsuit will be filed against Peel Regional Police.
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[COMMENTS BY DON B. -
[1] - Of course they feared losing control, once people see them act like such assholes, wouldn't any one get mad? ]