Michael Bennett: Cops drew guns on me for 'being a black man in the wrong place at the wrong time'

[pnwmom]

Last edited Wed Sep 6, 2017, 05:03 PM - Edit history (2)

Source: ESPN

Seattle Seahawks star defensive end Michael Bennett has accused police officers of pointing guns at him and using excessive force during an incident in Las Vegas last month.

Bennett posted a statement on his Twitter account Wednesday, saying that he felt "terrified" and "helpless," and announced that he is considering filing a civil rights lawsuit.

According to Bennett, the incident occurred in the early-morning hours on Aug. 27 after the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor fight in Las Vegas, when police apprehended him after hearing what sounded like gunshots in a crowded area.

Bennett said officers pointed guns at him "for doing nothing more than simply being a black man in the wrong place at the wrong time" and ordered him to lie down on the ground.

Read more: http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/20604486/michael-bennett-seattle-seahawks-accuses-las-vegas-police-excessive-force-considering-civil-lawsuit

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According to Michael, one of the police who arrested him put a gun to his head and threatened to blow his head off. They released him when they finally realized they'd picked up a football star.

It turned out that there were no gunshots after all. From another report:

"According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, parts of Drais Nightclub were evacuated early Sunday for shooting reports that turned out to be false. The police department found that large statues were knocked down onto the tile floor during a fight that caused panic and prompted reports of a shooting."

Michael has been remaining seated during the National Anthem prior to his games. In his written statement about the incident he said:

"I have always held the strong conviction that protesting or standing up for justice is just simply the right thing to do. This fact is unequivocally, without question, why before every game, I sit during the national anthem because equality doesnt live in this country, and no matter how much money you make, what job title you have or have much you give, when you are seen as a n*****,' you will be treated that way."

http://www.kiro7.com/news/michael-bennett-tweet-vegas-police-to-blow-my-head-off/604061452


Michael Bennett has retained a lawyer.


BLACK LIVES MATTER.

[liberalmuse]

1. Entertain us, but don't expect equal treatment.

Seriously, how are we still so backwards on this?

[iluvtennis]

4. Cuz black people (especially black men) are always pre-judged to be thugs...

Last edited Wed Sep 6, 2017, 06:24 PM - Edit history (1)

there is no equal treatment under the law. If Obama were here somewhere in the US and unrecognized, he would be treated the same way as he would be "prejudged" based on the color of his skin.

[FairWinds]

2. All of us who decline to stand for the anthem or recite the pledge . .

have our own reasons.

For some it's opposition to the idolatry of the civil religion of the modern nation state.

Mr. Bennett's treatment by agents of state power are also ample reason.

For me personally, it's the idea of standing to respect the torture state. As a
veteran it just really bothers me.

The government should EARN our respect, not demand it.

Veterans For Peace

[AtheistCrusader]

3. Go Hawks!

When my Chancellor jersey finally wears out, I might switch to Bennett.

[DinahMoeHum]

5. Now you know why high-profile guys like Bennett and Kaepernick. . .

. . .have been sitting or kneeling when the national anthem gets played.

Because this is increasingly what life as a non-white 31-yr-old father is becoming in this country.

[pnwmom]

6. It's always been this way. They are doing it to raise awareness. n/t

[iluvtennis]

7. Picture of assault of Michael Bennett on Twitter...

Link to tweet

[Stuart G]

8. k and r...thanks for posting picture...

[pnwmom]

10. Thanks for the picture, iluvtennis! nt

[oasis]

14. City of Las Vegas treasury about to "make it rain" for Michael.

Don't let them off light, Mike.

[progressoid]

15. Jesus H.

[left-of-center2012]

9. Cops say ...

From the linked article:

"We have no video or written report of it happening."

I'm shocked! (sarcasm)

[pnwmom]

11. Luckily there's the photo above. n/t

[Stuart G]

12. Well someone has..and millions will see this piciture..

Further, this picture, will force the police to settle with Bennett, and that will involve millions of dollars..yes, millions...

[pnwmom]

16. There's also a link to a brief video in the ESPN article. And yet there are still people denying it.

[BumRushDaShow]

13. "no matter how much money you make"

which is why "economic justice" is meaningless to POC when this happens -

[MarcA]

17. And 50 years later its still the republiCon game eom

[DFW]

18. Not only do I hope he takes the LVPD for millions

I hope it come in part out of the salaries and pensions of the thugs in uniform who mistreated him. Actually, my real preference would be that they serve a year or two for assault with a deadly weapon, so that they can learn to distinguish between football players and the kind of guys they really need to beware of. After a year in a max security lockup, they will probably get to be experts in the field.