Black American Female Emigrates to Thailand After Being Held at Gunpoint by U.S. Police
Black American Woman Ends Her Relationship With the US After Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Held Her at Gun Point
Racial profiling and police brutality is encouraging Black Americans to leave the United States. To illustrate this point, one need only refer to the story of Jasmine Horne.
Roughly two years ago, Horne — a second-grade teacher — left the gym and travelled to her grandmother’s home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Shortly after arriving there — and exiting her car — she saw 10 Charlotte-Mecklenburg police cars surrounding her.
The reporting of Yasmeen Freightman states that a cop had his gun drawn and pointed at Horne while demanding she put her hands up. Although Horne had no idea of what did wrong, or what law she had broken, police handcuffed her and placed in the back of a police vehicle. Freightman further states that Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers did not ask for Horne’s license or registration.
About 15 minutes after they wrongfully detained Horne, states Freightman, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers informed Horne they had mistaken her for a suspect with a similar name. She was later released and given an apology. Given the traumatic impact the incident had on Horne’s autonomy and emotional well-being, a simple apology fell short of remedying her emotional distress.
Freightman further states that Horne immediately filed an official complaint with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s internal affairs bureau. Although CMPD alleged that it launched an internal investigation, evidence reveals that it exonerated the officers involved, issuing a statement that Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers acted in “good faith.”
The Citizens Review Board did condemn the incident. However, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers were never disciplined.
“At that point, the damage was done, and I was already traumatized,” Horne expressed to broadcasting stations. “I really thought (my grandmother) was going to outlive me. It was the worst day of my life.” — Jasmine Horne
Further, Horne asserts the incident caused her to suffer from emotional post-traumatic stress. As a result, Horne temporarily ended her relationship with the United States — relinquished her teaching position in Charlotte — and relocated to Thailand not only to work as an English instructor, but also to be treated as human.
“As a woman of color in the United States, there’s sometimes this ‘hum’ of not feeling safe. It’s like a shadow that follows you that you forget about. But things try to remind you of it,” Horne told The News & Observer. “That incident definitely reminded me of it.” — Jasmine Horne
Horne’s traumatic run-in with police is eerily similar to Brandon Upchurch’s encounter in Toledo, Ohio. Last month, while Upchurch was driving his cousin home from work in his pickup truck, multiple Toledo police vehicles hemmed them in. Frieghtman reports that Toledo police officers swiftly exited their cruisers with their firearms drawn. While Upchurch exited his vehicle and attempted to seek clarification on the situation, he was only met with a barrage of authoritative shouts, demanding he lie on the ground.
Despite Upchurch kneeling and complying with the orders, a Toledo police officer released a K-9 unit on him. That officer later wrote in a report that he released the K-9 because he believed Upchurch posed a risk to officer safety and was unsure if he was armed. Upchurch never had a firearm.
“They instantly came out with the guns drawn. They did not come to my car and ask me for license, insurance, etc., anything,” Upchurch said, according to ABC News. “This is uncalled for over a stolen tag. All they had to do was run the plates again and found out it wasn’t stolen.” — Brandon Upchurch
On Jaden Jefferson Reports, Upchurch said:
“I’m scared to drive my truck. I can’t make no money. I work at — I’m on to stand up forklift. I need this arm to maneuver. I can’t — I ain’t been to work since this happened. So, I’m missing out on all types of money. I still have bills to pay — I still got a daughter to take care of…”
Several NAACP Toledo chapter members and the Frederick Douglass Center’s executive director, Mr. Reggie Williams, stood united in their call for equity from the Toledo Police Department and change within the community.
Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons Under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment
“The responses of US police during these incident exemplify a disturbing lack of accountability and empathy,” says human rights defender Quianna Canada. “The moment the officers detained both Horne and Upchurch, they assumed a duty of care for their well-being. This obligation stems from Principle 1 of the Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment, in that, persons in police custody are entitled to be respected for the inherent dignity as a human being, and to be treated in a humane manner regardless of their eventual destination within the criminal justice system. Principle 2 further mandates that arrests be carried out strictly in accordance with the provisions of the law.
The United States Lacks Legislation Specifically Designed to Protect Black Americans From Police Brutality.
In 2022, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination stated the persistence of racial profiling by law enforcement officers in the United States was concerning. The CERD further noted the persistence of excessive use of force by American law enforcement officials and urged the United States to adopt policies regulating the use of lethal force that are in accordance with international law and international standards.
Despite the recommendations of the CERD, the US Government has yet to pass legislation that would tackle police misconduct against Black Americans, as we remain disproportionately affected by police mistreatment. I must also point to the George Floyd Justice Policing Act, the Eric Garner Excessive Use of Force Prevention Act, the Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act and the End Racial and Religious Profiling Act, all of which has either been stalled in its introductory phase or has not made it pass the Senate.
“The Horne and Upchurch incidents, as well as others, underscores the pressing necessity for a comprehensive crime bill aimed at safeguarding Black Americans, preventing such acts of police brutality, and ensuring accountability for those responsible,” says Ms. Canada.