SNL alum Jay Pharoah Says He Was Stopped By LAPD, Shares Security Footage Of Officer Kneeling on nec

[Dennis Donovan]

https://deadline.com/2020/06/jay-pharoah-police-video-kneel-neck-the-talk-instagram-1202958024/

By Greg Evans


Jay Pharoah on ground
Instagram

Former Saturday Night Live cast member Jay Pharoah says he was stopped by police while jogging in Los Angeles recently, that one of the officers kneeled on his neck and that video footage, apparently from a nearby security camera, recorded the incident.

Pharoah shared the video on Instagram today, saying “I could have easily been an Ahmaud Arbery or a George Floyd.”

<snip>

The actor and comedian spoke about the incident during an appearance on today’s episode of CBS’ The Talk, describing how he was stopped by four police officers, their guns drawn, as he was running on an L.A. sidewalk. He was told, he said, that he fit the description of a man they were seeking – “a black man with gray sweatpants and a gray shirt,” Pharoah said.

On The Talk, Pharoah said, “I see a gun from my peripheral and I look and the officer is like, ‘Freeze – get on the ground,’ and I’m like ‘Oh snap’…” Pharoah said he was ordered to drop to the ground and “spread your arms like an airplane.”

“Three more officers drove up… it’s hot, corona is definitely something to be worried about, the police officers didn’t have on gloves, they didn’t have on masks…When they put me in cuffs, after they were all on me, an officer put his knee on my neck.”

</snip>

He played Obama on the show!

[still_one]

1. He should sue the hell out of the City of Los Angeles for that bullshit

[MagickMuffin]

6. No Do NOT sue the city

Sue the enforcers and their union. The city does NOT need to pay for the enforcers lack of judgement or their behaviors.

And also sue them in Civil Court.

[2naSalit]

14. +1

[relayerbob]

15. Agreed

[Solomon]

21. Unfortunately he will have to sue the city.

[uponit7771]

23. Nope, sue all of them. The city doesn't even do GSA level background checks on these bastards.

[dewsgirl]

2. WTF are they doing seminars on this shit?

[Mariana]

3. I imagine they do.

The police training about use of force probably includes a lot of winks and nods and snickers and chuckles.

[dem4decades]

4. If not the city training the Union training probably does.

[pazzyanne]

9. In Mpls, the police union has continued to do trainings dropped by the police department.

I've been a member of a union, but what is happening with the police seriously needs some oversight. Glad to see that Mpls is looking at a complete restructuring of the police department, including a new contract with the police union.

[Pacifist Patriot]

19. Yep. Have you heard of Grossman (appropriate name by the way)?

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/02/dave-grossman-training-police-militarization/

[dewsgirl]

20. Holy hell, I wasn't being literal....yet also not surprised.😥

[Pacifist Patriot]

22. I figured you weren't, and "holy hell" indeed.

[uponit7771]

24. +1,

[MagickMuffin]

5. Very powerful video

I'm glad they didn't kill you Mr. Pharoah. We need each and every one of you.

And excellent message: Educate Yourselves!

[live love laugh]

7. I'm so fucking tired of four or five scary police for one man. nt

YN

[superpatriotman]

8. I really like Jay Pharoah

And hope he keeps making people laugh.

[Mersky]

10. What you can do if you think you're witnessing police abuse or brutality

From the ACLU of Texas, https://www.aclutx.org/en/know-your-rights/your-right-film-police

What you can do if you think you’re witnessing police abuse or brutality:

Stand at a safe distance and, if possible, use your phone to record video of what is happening. As long as you do not interfere with what the officers are doing and do not stand close enough to obstruct their movements, you have the right to observe and record events that are plainly visible in public spaces.

Do not try to hide the fact that you are recording. Police officers do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy when performing their jobs, but the people they are interacting with may have privacy rights that would require you to notify them of the recording. In many states (see here) you must affirmatively make people aware that you are recording them.

Police officers may not confiscate or demand to view your photographs or video without a warrant, and they may not delete your photographs or video under any circumstances. If an officer orders you to stop recording or orders you to hand over your phone, you should politely but firmly tell the officer that you do not consent to doing so, and remind the officer that taking photographs or video is your right under the First Amendment. Be aware that some officers may arrest you for refusing to comply even though their orders are illegal. The arrest would be unlawful, but you will need to weigh the personal risks of arrest (including the risk that officer may search you upon arrest) against the value of continuing to record.

Whether or not you are able to record everything, make sure to write down everything you remember, including officers’ badge and patrol car numbers, which agency the officers were from, how many officers were present and what their names were, any use of weapons (including less-lethal weapons such as Tasers or batons), and any injuries suffered by the person stopped. If you are able to speak to the person stopped by police after the police leave, they may find your contact information helpful in case they decide to file a complaint or pursue a lawsuit against the officers.

I always have a phone, and I am not afraid to use it.

[rickford66]

11. They always fit the description. What's the chances of that ?

[Dream Girl]

12. That's what they said to my brothers fifty years ago

[tom_kelly]

17. One thing that needs to be included

In any reform is the agency involved be required to provide evidence regarding the “initial call” and all pertinent information associated with it

[uponit7771]

25. +1

[warmfeet]

13. A threat to public health.

Where is the fucking vaccine?

I'm waiting.

[tavernier]

16. Wow.

Is it in the water?
I’m just confused!!!!!

[paleotn]

18. That description....

really narrows it down, doesn't it.

So all the cops in the neighborhood descend, guns drawn, on the first person who even remotely matches the description. While the real perp apparently walks scott free. If there even was a "perp" in the first damn place. Nice. Not students of probabilities are they?

Well, I guess that's what you get when it takes more training to become a hair stylist and the pay is shit by anyone's estimation. A force of morons, adrenaline junkies and the bullies from 5th grade.