A Black Family Being Harassed At Green Lakes State Park

ok these videos are poor quality and do not tell the whole story. I just happened to have a camera on me that could record video but not a lot of room on SD card for longer shots. There are a total of 4 short clips but I'm a dummy and forgot to join them.
I am glad I was able to capture this on film though. Basically a black family came to the park and was there for maybe a half hour before this occured. The Couple's 3 year old daughter was riding her bicycle when a park ranger approached her and said it was against the rules. The father proceeded to ask why she was being singled out from all the other bike riders in the park. I personally had witnessed several bike riders that same day. The ranger began walking away while calling reinforcements. The black man then stated that they were being harassed because they were black. At the same time he pointed out a young white girl also riding a bike and the ranger kept repeating,"Theres no problems here, theres no problems here". At this point the man proceeded to gather his family's belongings and prepared to leave. 3 other rangers showed up and stood by menacingly.
One ranger, presumably of higher rank, proceeded to ask the man what was going on in the parking lot. The man explained, as calmly as he could while still obviously quite angry what had happened. After he continued to pick up his belongings while the ranger continued to stay with his every move.
Eventually I was able to ask the man what was going on off camera and he stated," they were harassing my 3 year old because she is black". That was all he would say before he left.
This happened at Green Lakes State Park in New York State at around 6 p.m. For a more detailed account please read my blog on myspace at myspace.com/jpow83.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• racism
• syracuse
• NY
• police
• harassment
• gotcha!
• green
• lakes
• greenlakes
• ranger
• state
• park

[jpow1983]

From what I saw "mouthing off" means saying, "why are you approaching us and not that white family over there?". Anyways maybe you can elaborate on that if you wish. Why would there be any tickets? They would have to break the law for that to happen. As for this so called cop what disorderly conduct? You are the reason why I don't trust pigs. You obviously make your decisions before evaluating the situation. You make your peers look as stupid and ignorant as you. You should only speak for you.

[jpow1983]

Learn how to read twit...

[WhoDaresWins317]

What makes it harassing? Because the cop is white and the guy yelling is black? Do you know what happen? Are you retarded? Probably yes on retarded....get a life...

[jpow1983]

you are an ignorant. You obviously don't read before you speak so hold your 3 year old insults for someone who cares what you think. And don't worry, I'm sure someone loves you somewhere...

[worm60]

i see a black guy harassing a WHITE cop

[dethtrain]

I fail to see the black family being harassed

[brincredible316]

as usual with these videos about police brutality on blacks and white cops harassing blacks, you only see part of the video. The rest of the video is probably the black guy acting like a fool and causing a disturbance.

[TheLovetocatchbass]

i hate blaxck peope

[commonman80]

They are Clearly Being Harassed. White people call into the local police and say their afraid that the blacks are there to start Trouble. Then the white cops show up to Intimidate the black people until they leave the area. BLACK PEOPLE! When this happens, call your local (FBI). There's one in every County of the U.S.A. Let them know what's going on. Everything is Recorded. So when they file false charges, your on record to prove you were doing NOTHING WRONG. Stop Racism. It's your Country too.

[VeronicaGardentv]

RUN!

[variously2]

@jpow1983 you should have gotten the family's number and have them file a complaint. then made a copy of the tape and submit that as evidence (assuming you had footage of other bikers in the shot). video is a vital tool against police oppression. most cops serve, but some are just closeted bigots, power-hungry jocks, or racists. it's good to point those out :)

[variously2]

@WhoDaresWins317 no you fucking asshole, it's harassing because the ranger singled out the black girl on the bike when there were plenty other bike riders in the area. are you fucking dense? if you and your family were walking in a park and some officer started telling you stop walking while everyone was doing the same, he would be HARASSING YOU. this actually seems quite racist to me, although they could know the guy and have other reasons. either way it's fucked up.

[variously2]

@johncobb1972 actually filming cops is a good thing. if they break a low or protocol, you have evidence. without it, they would instantly believe their own officers over you. they also can't ask you to stop unless you're interfering directly with their investigation or activities. from afar, they cannot stop you and it is illegal for them to take your camera/tapes.

[BigBlaqueKat]

Going into the woods with two white guys is a mistake.

[imPerrenial]

It is never safe to assume that as a bystander you fully understand the interaction between someone who is a stranger to you and law enforcement. It is inappropriate to label this as "harassment" - though it would have been fine to post it with your impressions of the scene. Law enforcement officers are all too often cast in an undeserved negative light.