Newark councilman arrested in Louisiana

[Brick City Brother]

Newark councilman arrested in Louisiana
by Katie Wang/The Star-Ledger
Friday April 11, 2008, 8:20 PM
A Newark city councilman was arrested today for disturbing the peace during a traffic stop outside of New Orleans, authorities said.

Oscar Sydney James II, who was in Louisiana this week building homes for Habitat for Humanity, was also charged with resisting arrest and littering in St. Bernard Parish, just southeast of New Orleans. James was the front seat passenger of a van that was pulled over for speeding.

He was released after posting an $850 bond. The charges are all misdemeanors, authorities said.

James said in an telephone interview the arrest was a result of racial profiling and vowed to fight the charges.

Maj. Chad Clark of the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office said he and his partner stopped the van after spotting it change lanes without signaling and going about 10 miles above the 55 mph speed limit. The van, said James, was carrying his staff members and volunteers who joined him from Newark.

The crew were heading to lunch when they were pulled over, James said.

According to Clark, James was immediately irate about being stopped.

"The passenger Oscar James II said it was a racial issue -- that he's being stopped because he's black," Clark said.

Clark said police asked James to step out of the car where they patted him down. According to police, James reached into his pocket, removed a handful of large nails and threw them on the ground.

James denied being loud or irate and said he never asked the police to bring them to jail. He said one of the passengers in the van videotaped the confrontation.

"It's definitely racial profiling," James said. "We've dealt with several incidents of racism since we got here."

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just fyi

[karimah]

Folks did you notice how this thread posts have disappeared. Down for maintenance huh

It mentions 17 post but it only views 3.

[HAVESEENENOUGH]

It only viewed two. This one makes three. You are right it is very interesting how it disapeared.

[sistersmith74]

Can somebody share some info as to the current status of this situation.

If he is guilty, does that mean he will go the same path as Dana Rone???

or, we, women get a diffrent treatment???

[karimah]

I'm guessing we will have to call New Orleans to get the scoop on this one.

[J. Sharpe James, J.D.]

Its been swept under the rug with one of Booker's "Clean Sweep" brooms.

[A'laa]

the situation wasn't that serious to be talked about if you ask me. if you want to talk about something talk about the purpose of the trip. Oscar and his staff along with high school students went to New Orelans to help build homes with Habitat for Humanity, to help those who lost everything.
John be quiet no homo!

[A'laa]

Karimah you must be real beat to call to New Orleans get a life Darlin!