ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Court of Appeals has cleared the way for a trial on an African-American pastor's claim of racial discrimination by two police departments.
Terry Williams says he was detained about 30 minutes while he was warming up for a run around Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis in July 2006. The appeals court says a Minneapolis park police officer believed Williams and another man were serving as lookouts in a scheme to steal from a car.
Williams accused the officer of racial profiling, and she called for backup. Three Minneapolis police officers arrived.
The Minneapolis Commission on Civil Rights found probable cause of racial discrimination by both police departments.
The police departments contended they were immune from the claim. The appeals court disagreed, allowing the commission to proceed with a trial.
The city attorney declined to comment.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
Terry Williams says he was detained about 30 minutes while he was warming up for a run around Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis in July 2006. The appeals court says a Minneapolis park police officer believed Williams and another man were serving as lookouts in a scheme to steal from a car.
Williams accused the officer of racial profiling, and she called for backup. Three Minneapolis police officers arrived.
The Minneapolis Commission on Civil Rights found probable cause of racial discrimination by both police departments.
The police departments contended they were immune from the claim. The appeals court disagreed, allowing the commission to proceed with a trial.
The city attorney declined to comment.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
