Report: Harvard Scholar Gates' Arrest Avoidable

[EFerrari]

Source: CBS/AP

BOSTON, June 30, 2010
Report: Harvard Scholar Gates' Arrest Avoidable

"Certain Degree of Fear" Between Black Scholar, White Cop Led to Arrest that Fueled Debate on Race Relations, Panel Says

CBS/AP) Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. and the police sergeant who arrested him last July after a confrontation outside his home both missed opportunities to "ratchet down" the situation and end things more calmly, according to a review of the case released Wednesday.

The independent review said "misunderstandings and failed communications" and a "certain degree of fear" each man had for the other led to the six-minute dispute that ended with the renowned black scholar being arrested by the veteran white Cambridge police sergeant.

Sgt. James Crowley arrested Gates for disorderly conduct at his Cambridge home July 16 while investigating a possible burglary. Gates alleged he was a victim of racial profiling. Charges were later dropped.


The conflict sparked a national debate on race relations, and President Barack Obama invited both men to the White House for a "beer summit," where Obama and Vice President Joe Biden sat down with the two men for a drink at a table on a White House lawn.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/06/30/national/main6633200.shtml