In the latest ridiculous case of “things black people have been detained by the cops for,” we bring you this unbelievable story from Winfield, Kansas.
Rudy Samuel was driving in Winfield, Kansas when he was pulled over by cops for “failing to signal a turn within 100 feet. This usually leads to a citation or a warning for most drivers, but instead, the cops proceeded to give Samuel a hard time–pulling vegetation out from the window crevis and his windshield. The cops then put it in a bag to “test it.”
The cop returns and asks Samuel to step out of his car, citing that he took the “vegetation” (AKA TREE POLLEN) from his window, and that’s enough to detain him–thinking it’s weed. Samuel informs the officers that he doesn’t even smoke, but they insist on having him exit his car anyway.
The cops then grab the man’s phone while he’s recording the entire incident, and tell him he’s being detained so they can search his car–because they think he has drugs due to…pollen…on his window. Right. Samuel can be heard saying multiple times he does not give the cops permission to search his car until they test the “vegetation.” The cop then ends the video recording.
Posted by Rudy Samuel on Sunday, May 13, 2018
People online were outraged after seeing the video and the way in which Samuel was treated by the cops. All across the country, millions of cars have pollen and vegetation layered on windows and windshields, but cops don’t pull everyone over or detain people for this…right? People on Twitter shared their thoughts.
Thank goodness for smart phones. Finally this harassment can be documented for world to see. It is now each of our responsibility to stand against this harassment of POC. It is wrong and I hope the bad cops get stigmatized and fired so the many good officers can take their place.
— julie???? (@julie71992181) May 21, 2018
How about they try to stop some real criminals ?
— Kay (@MoonbeamPrncess) May 21, 2018
Yes because druggies are known for spreading their marijuana across their windshields. Classic tactic of evasion. WTH?
— Anne Burgess (@burgess_anne) May 21, 2018
Black people please keep your phones charged and Get your family mini car cameras for Christmas this year. Dash cams are not legal in most states. Be safe.
— Queenro ?? (@Queenofro) May 21, 2018
“vegetation”….on his windshield? pic.twitter.com/R2qeK1wqqK
— Denisha (@denishaaross) May 21, 2018
This pisses me off, all they have to do is say they “smelled something” or saw something that looked like a drug substance to have an excuse to search. I’m glad this young man had this on video, he would probably be sitting in jail right now.
— Dana (@DanaBomar) May 21, 2018
vegetation…thats what we doing today officers? pic.twitter.com/i2UQ8AWWNL
— CeCe ? (@ceceonair) May 21, 2018
People also posted the phone number for the police department to ensure people complain.
Flood their phone lines with complaints at 620-221-5555
— Sonya Delaine (@FlaMama69) May 21, 2018
And posted the chief’s email.
I've emailed the chief of police, I'm ingested to see what his response is, if he even responds at all… if anyone else would like to email him here is his info Brett Stone: [email protected]
— Liz (@MizzzLizzy) May 21, 2018
This is America.