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Congresswoman Feels She Was Discriminated Against

 

U.S. congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, D-Georgia, says that she was a victim of racial profiling during an altercation with a Capitol policeman on March 29 in Washington.  Capitol Police recently asked federal prosecutors to charge McKinney with simple assault.

The altercation occurred as McKinney walkedpast the metal detector. An officer told her to stop, police said. He then reached out and touched her, not realizing she was a congresswoman, police said. He did not know she was a congressman because she was not wearing the lapel pin that identifies them as lawmakers and because she wore a different hairstyle. McKinney and the officer scuffled, and she struck him in the chest with a cellular phone, police said. She was eventually allowed to proceed to a meeting.  Members of Congress are allowed to bypass the metal detectors and security checkpoint.

The six-term congresswoman, 51, could face a variety of charges, ranging from assaulting a police officer, a felony, to simple assault, the misdemeanor charge that Capitol Police recommended to prosecutors, authorities said. Officials could also decline to prosecute the case.

Prosecutors must approve the charges sought by police before a warrant can be issued.

CNN reported that McKinney said in a news conference she would be exonerated and that “this whole incident was instigated by the inappropriate touching and stopping of me, a female, black congresswoman.”

Black college students agreed that the police officers actions were racially motivated.

"I think that she was discriminated against because of her appearance," said Chris Malcolm a junior majoring in housing management at University of Maryland University College.

McKinney represents a majority black district on the east side of metro Atlanta. She was first elected in 1992, but lost the seat in 2002. She regained it in 2004.

U.S. congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, D-Georgia, says that she was a victim of racial profiling during an altercation with a Capitol policeman on March 29 in Washington.  Capitol Police recently asked federal prosecutors to charge McKinney with simple assault.

The altercation occurred as McKinney walkedpast the metal detector. An officer told her to stop, police said. He then reached out and touched her, not realizing she was a congresswoman, police said. He did not know she was a congressman because she was not wearing the lapel pin that identifies them as lawmakers and because she wore a different hairstyle. McKinney and the officer scuffled, and she struck him in the chest with a cellular phone, police said. She was eventually allowed to proceed to a meeting.  Members of Congress are allowed to bypass the metal detectors and security checkpoint.

The six-term congresswoman, 51, could face a variety of charges, ranging from assaulting a police officer, a felony, to simple assault, the misdemeanor charge that Capitol Police recommended to prosecutors, authorities said. Officials could also decline to prosecute the case.

Prosecutors must approve the charges sought by police before a warrant can be issued.

CNN reported that McKinney said in a news conference she would be exonerated and that “this whole incident was instigated by the inappropriate touching and stopping of me, a female, black congresswoman.”

"I think that she was discriminated against because of her appearance," said Chris Malcolm a junior majoring in housing management at University of Maryland University College.

McKinney represents a majority black district on the east side of metro Atlanta. She was first elected in 1992, but lost the seat in 2002. She regained it in 2004.