Watch: Just-Released Video Shows Brutal Bodyslam Of Tennis Star James Blake By Police
In this shocking clip of security cam footage, tennis star James Blake is seen standing and minding his own business before a policeman bum-rushes and brutally tackles him to the ground, mistaking him for a suspect wanted in an identity theft case. “Blake looked remarkable to the suspect we were searching for, they could have been twin brothers,” said NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton said Thursday.
It is utterly mystifying why the officer behaved with such brutality right off the back. No conversation, no attempt to establish his identity- just violence from start to finish. “It was definitely scary and definitely crazy. In my mind there’s probably a race factor involved, but no matter what there’s no reason for anybody to do that to anybody” said James Blake, when pressed for comment. In a further twist, the man the NYPD was looking for- for identity theft– was also innocent. It is a testament to Blake’s athleticism that he dealt with the tackle so gracefully.
The lack of respect for African-Americans shown by our police forces is very disturbing. While not all police officers behave this way, it would appear there are some deep racial issues within police culture that America must address.
Watch it here:
