The comedians Eric André and Clayton English have sued Clayton county police, alleging racial profiling at Atlanta’s primary airport in a program supposedly geared toward discovering unlawful medicine however during which officers frequently confiscate passengers’ money.
André, creator and host of The Eric Andre Present, and English, a standup comic and actor, say that in separate incidents, Clayton county law enforcement officials at Hartsfield-Jackson worldwide airport racially profiled and illegally stopped them to query if they'd unlawful medicine.
A federal lawsuit filed on Tuesday alleges that the police searches, which the Clayton county police describe as consensual, depend on coercion and are administered based mostly on race. Greater than half – 56% – of passengers searched have been Black, and 68% have been individuals of shade, the lawsuit stated.
Attorneys for the 2 comedians additionally argue that the search program hardly ever uncovers medicine, however does frequently seize money: greater than $1m value, with the cash hardly ever returned even when the passenger isn't charged, in line with the swimsuit.
Of the 402 stops performed, medicine have been discovered a complete of 3 times, totalling 0.08lb. Six drugs have been taken from one passenger who didn't have a prescription for them, the swimsuit stated.
André says that in April 2021 he arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson from Los Angeles. Whereas ready on the jet bridge, he says law enforcement officials stopped him within the slender area and questioned him concerning medicine.
“There’s all these individuals having to squeeze previous us on this slender, awkward jet bridge as I appear like this suspicious perpetrator,” André informed the Submit. “And I’ve executed completely nothing flawed. I’m actually coming dwelling from a piece journey.”
He stated he was later let off the airplane, however described the police encounter as “demoralizing, dehumanizing, racist and traumatic”.
In October 2020, English says he confronted an identical encounter with police whereas touring by means of Atlanta on a piece journey to Los Angeles. Cops blocked him as he entered the jet bridge, asking if he had unlawful medicine and analyzing his boarding go and ID.
He stated they requested to go looking his bag, a call he consented to as he didn’t understand he had the choice to refuse.
“I felt utterly powerless. I felt violated. I felt cornered,” he stated at a information convention to debate the lawsuit. “I felt like I needed to comply if I wished every part to go easily.”
The 2 are requesting a jury trial and hoping that a choose will declare the search program unconstitutional, reported AP.
“I've the sources to convey nationwide consideration and worldwide consideration to this incident. It’s not an remoted incident,” stated André. “If Black individuals don’t communicate up for one another, who will?”
This text was amended on 12 October 2022 to delete a repeated identify in a caption.
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