Filmmaker Sues
In 2004, I was pulled over for filming from my car while driving down 42nd street, passing Grand Central Terminal. I acknowledged my stupidity and the cops let loose some questionable banter. “What else you got on that tape? Buildings?” No, you jackass, it’s my short film “Transit“. Of course I didn’t say anything like this and I understood why I might have seemed suspicious to them. So, when 3 weeks later at 8 pm two NYPD officers knocked on my door and my mother answered in utter shock, I was courteous and affable.
Homeland Security does not have enough help so some of NYPD’s finest help them out. They had done a complete background check on me and knew I was harmless, but they had to make sure I wasn’t making bombs in my house.
So when the news of Rakesh Sharma emerged this morning an unpleasant yet interesting and worthwhile memory popped up into my head. Sharma was filming cabs approaching from a midtown underpass by the MetLife building. He too received a bunch of aggressive comments and a couple of shoves. But, instead of letting it go, he decided to sue the city and his case is now underway. They interrogated him for about 4 hours and let him go. [Read the full story]
Now whose reaction was more appropriate? Whose was out of line? I’m not sure. But I guess I’m not the only filmmaker who was initially mistaken for a terrorist.
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wow, what a story. thanks for sharing that. it’s so easy for us whities to forget what the darker skinned among us are so often subjected to…
Yep, the story is a conversation starter at parties where you don’t know many people. I was shocked myself because for whatever reason I don’t see people with colors and since I know I’m not a terrorist, it’s a little harsh when you’re subjected to that kind of nonsense, especially from pigs.
It ain’t just “darker skinned” people. I’m hardly “darker skinned” and I’ve been harassed by the NYPD for taking photos also.
The police unfortunately have the power. Courtesy and composure will always help any situation, but if the police find it in their interests to pursue a course of action they will and you will be left powerless.
A family friend was accused of attempted murder b/c he fit a profile, was at the scene (along with hundreds of others) but most importantly because the case needed to be solved. Only by hiring a private detective to conduct his own investigation did this kid stay out of jail for 10-25.