Backlash

And then it all went to hell. Just about literally.

A very dear friend of mine spent 20 minutes this afternoon face down on the pavement in handcuffs, being harassed by two police officers.

He hadn't done anything; simply walked out of an office building after delivering a package, went over to unlock his bicycle, and was accosted by them. They said there'd been a burglary nearby. They said he looked "suspicious."

I saw him a few hours later - he looked neat and tidy, clear-eyed and sober, dressed for his messenger work - not at all scruffy, not smelling of any illegal substances, carrying a messenger bag and an iPhone - the tools of his trade. The man has a master's degree, by the way. Not that that should make a difference, either, but I am just trying to give you the complete picture.

They threatened to give him a ticket for bicycling on the sidewalk (he hadn't even unlocked his bike yet), and he said Yes, do that. That way I'll have your badge numbers.

They let him go after that. Twenty minutes in handcuffs, face to the pavement, for walking while brown.