Photo: Facebook / Keyzz Entertainment Television
Another video that seems to exemplify how it’s like to be “driving while black” has emerged on social media, attaining viral status and adding fuel to the ongoing conversation on the use of excessive force by the police.
You can see it at the bottom of the page as well. The incident occurred on July 12 in Mississippi but was only posted online the other day. The woman recording it is Porsha Shields, who is pregnant and had her 4-year-old son in the car at the time. The man driving the car that’s been pulled over is Robert Andre Morton.
The video begins with Morton pressed against the back of his car. He’s refusing the trooper’s request to put his hands behind his back, saying he doesn’t understand why he’s being arrested. The trooper, who is white, explains to him that he was doing 101mph in a 65 zone and that he is now resisting arrest, both of which are grounds for an arrest. Morton insists he wasn’t told that when he was pulled over, so he again refuses to be placed in handcuffs.
The situation escalates when the trooper’s backup arrives. The other (white) trooper runs to Morton and grabs him by the neck and then the two slam him to the ground, finally putting him in handcuffs. During this time, Shields is yelling at them that they “should be out there protecting us” and not overreacting over nothing.
Shields tells Keyzz Entertainment Television that, after she was done recording, one of the troopers took her and slammed her against the car twice – the second time with more force, after she informed him she was pregnant. Her child watched from inside the vehicle as she was being roughed up for no crime at all.
Both Shields and Morton were arrested and released. Morton was charged with “speeding more than 20 miles over the speed limit, failure to wear seat belts, failure to properly seat belt a child, failure to give a driver’s license on command, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and malicious mischief,” NBC News reports. Shields was hit with a disorderly conduct and resisting arrest charge.
As of the time of writing, the video, shared by several accounts including Shields’ and across several platforms, has a total of over 4 million views. The Mississippi Highway Patrol has refused to answer calls for comment on the alleged use of excessive force.
*Warning
Please note that the footage below contains graphic language that might offend.
The video begins with Morton pressed against the back of his car. He’s refusing the trooper’s request to put his hands behind his back, saying he doesn’t understand why he’s being arrested. The trooper, who is white, explains to him that he was doing 101mph in a 65 zone and that he is now resisting arrest, both of which are grounds for an arrest. Morton insists he wasn’t told that when he was pulled over, so he again refuses to be placed in handcuffs.
The situation escalates when the trooper’s backup arrives. The other (white) trooper runs to Morton and grabs him by the neck and then the two slam him to the ground, finally putting him in handcuffs. During this time, Shields is yelling at them that they “should be out there protecting us” and not overreacting over nothing.
Shields tells Keyzz Entertainment Television that, after she was done recording, one of the troopers took her and slammed her against the car twice – the second time with more force, after she informed him she was pregnant. Her child watched from inside the vehicle as she was being roughed up for no crime at all.
Both Shields and Morton were arrested and released. Morton was charged with “speeding more than 20 miles over the speed limit, failure to wear seat belts, failure to properly seat belt a child, failure to give a driver’s license on command, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and malicious mischief,” NBC News reports. Shields was hit with a disorderly conduct and resisting arrest charge.
As of the time of writing, the video, shared by several accounts including Shields’ and across several platforms, has a total of over 4 million views. The Mississippi Highway Patrol has refused to answer calls for comment on the alleged use of excessive force.
*Warning
Please note that the footage below contains graphic language that might offend.
Google News