More Racial Injustice In Sanford, FL: Black Man Forced From Car, Handcuffed at Gunpoint (921 hits)

By Victor Trammell

After a gross miscarriage of justice unfolded in the Trayvon Martin case, another case of racial profiling has been discovered in the historically racially intolerant town of Sanford, Florida.

This time, the racial profiling was unlawfully conducted by real Sanford police officers instead of a lone wolf neighborhood watchman turned police officer wannabe. The alleged incident of police misconduct occurred on June 26 and was leveled against another young black male, 26-year-old Traymon Williams.

Williams was quite involved in the political activism organized after the death of Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old Florida black male who was shot and killed by George Zimmerman in late February 2012. Zimmerman was acquitted of second-degree murder charges earlier this month after his defense team successfully painted Martin (who was unarmed) as a villain instead of a victim.

Williams’ public activities advocating on behalf of Martin may have made him a target of the Sanford Police, who have been widely criticized for their sloppy handling of the Trayvon Martin case. In an interview with TheGrio.com, Williams said that a Sanford Police cruiser began following his Toyota Camry very closely on June 26.

Williams was traveling in the vehicle with his girlfriend DeShonda Robinson and her brother Kelvin Robinson. Soon after, about four more police cruisers joined the one that was following Williams. The Camry was eventually signaled to stop by the police and officers forced all of the occupants out of the car. The police then proceeded to physically force them to the ground at gunpoint.

According to Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith, Williams, his girlfriend, and her brother were placed in the back of a police cruiser as officers conducted an “investigation.” The police claim Williams’ Camry matched the description of a vehicle allegedly used by a robber in a home burglary. However, Michael Moore, an attorney for Williams said that the burglary suspect is much heavier than his client.

The Sanford Police Department has conducted an internal review of this incident after a complaint was filed. However, Williams has stated that he intends to sue the Sanford Police Department if no action is taken against the officers who wrongfully profiled him, his girlfriend, and her brother. Posted By: DAVID JOHNSON
Friday, August 2nd 2013 at 1:37AM
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