A video circulating online has ignited outrage and debate over racial profiling after a Black man was detained by police on a commuter train following a complaint from a white female passenger who reportedly said she “didn’t like the way he was sitting.”
The man, whose identity has not been publicly released, is heard in the video repeatedly stating that he had done nothing illegal and was simply sitting on the train when the police were called. “I haven’t done anything illegal,” he says in the video. “You’re trying to arrest me? For what?”
Eyewitnesses say the woman approached train staff, alleging that the man made her feel “uncomfortable,” despite no reported threats or aggressive behavior. Police responded to the call and confronted the man, leading to a tense exchange caught on camera.
As officers attempted to detain him, he repeatedly asked what law he had broken. “Resisting what? What am I doing?” he is heard saying. He continued to question the motivations behind the police response, implying that race played a significant role: “Because a white woman didn’t like my presence?”
The incident has sparked a wave of criticism on social media, with many accusing the authorities of racial bias and misuse of police power. Civil rights organizations are calling for a full investigation and demanding better protocols for handling non-criminal complaints on public transportation.
“It is unacceptable that Black people are still being criminalized for simply existing in public spaces,” said a spokesperson from the local chapter of the NAACP. “This was not about public safety — this was about discomfort rooted in racial bias.”
Transit authorities have stated they are reviewing the incident and all relevant footage. Police officials have yet to release a formal statement regarding the rationale behind the attempted arrest or whether any charges were filed.
This story is developing. More details will be shared as they become available.
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