Mall of America patron alleges discrimination
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Jeremiah
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Post subject: Mall of America patron alleges discrimination Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 6:38 am |
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Raving Moderate |
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Joined: Thu Mar 23, 2006 12:46 pm Posts: 1292 Location: Minneapolis
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http://www.startribune.com/local/44505052.html
Quote: The Mall of America is facing a federal lawsuit over the tactics used by its counter-terrorism security unit.
By MARY JANE SMETANKA, Star Tribune Last update: May 6, 2009 - 11:38 PM
In a federal lawsuit filed this week, a Minneapolis man who says he was merely sitting on a Mall of America bench waiting for a lunch date alleges that security guards questioned and harassed him and then called Bloomington police for no reason except that he is black.
A mall spokesman said the complaint of discrimination is "absolutely false," though he acknowledged that a security guard who was part of a specially trained counter-terrorism unit questioned the man because of "genuine concerns regarding this person's actions."
The man, Bobbie Allen, filed discrimination charges with the state's Department of Human Rights, which determined there was probable cause to believe that Allen was a victim of discrimination.
The suit says that Allen, now 44, went to the mall in June 2007 to meet a white female friend for lunch. The woman, an employee of a mall store, had to work longer than expected. Allen used an ATM machine, bought a cafe mocha and sat on a bench, where he drank coffee and wrote in his journal.
Soon a mall security officer approached. In her incident report, the suit alleges, the officer said she told Allen he had been randomly selected for a survey. But she wrote in her report that that was not true and that she had been watching Allen for 15 minutes because he was a "suspicious person" who had been talking to a female, writing in a notebook, looking around at people and looking at his watch.
The security officer asked Allen questions including his name, his friend's name, where he liked to shop and what coffee he liked best. The suit says Allen was "startled and offended" but answered the guard's questions. When the officer began to ask for personal information about Allen's friend, he told her he was uncomfortable with her inquiries and suggested she was asking only because he is black. He told her that he had nothing else to say.
Allen's friend arrived and verified that she was his friend and that they had a lunch date. She returned to the store to finish her shift. But the security guard continued to question Allen, who answered her questions.
The officer called her supervisor for backup, and both questioned Allen, who "was becoming concerned and was afraid to leave the bench with the officers around him," according to the suit. Bloomington police were called and asked Allen for his ID. He gave it to them, and police told him to let the security officers do their job and left.
The suit says Allen was afraid for his safety because he was surrounded by four standing officers. It says he tried to explain that he had done nothing wrong. More than 30 minutes after Allen was approached by the first officer, his friend joined him and security officers allowed the pair to leave for lunch.
The suit, which seeks damages of more than $100,000 for severe embarrassment, humiliation and mental distress, alleges that Allen was a victim of discrimination because he is black. Other people lingering on benches in the area, including a white man, were not bothered, the suit says.
In a statement, mall officials denied the suit's allegations. Dan Jasper, the mall's public relations director, said discrimination is not tolerated at the mall.
Jasper said the security guard was part of a counter-terrorism unit called Risk Assessment and Mitigation (RAM). RAM officers are trained in "behavior detection techniques" to identify suspicious people, and Jasper said the guard was responding to Allen's actions.
"We must be on guard at all times," Jasper said. "Our officers have an obligation to investigate anytime they see what they believe is a suspicious activity, even if that activity turns out to be benign."
Mary Jane Smetanka • 612-673-7380
Perhaps it's just me, but wasn't MOA's crack counterterrorism unit going a bit overboard here? Gecko45, anyone?
_________________ I'm liberal, pro-choice, and I carry a gun. Any questions?
My real name is Jeremiah (go figure).
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mrokern
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Post subject: Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 6:51 am |
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Longtime Regular |
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Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:40 pm Posts: 2264 Location: Eden Prairie
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First off, even by MOA's admission this is a case of WWB (writing while black).
Second, MOA security has a counter-terrorism behavioral assessment team? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA......whew, can't breathe....oh no, round two coming on....HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA cough cough gasp gasp gasp gasp....
Seriously, I'm glad he's suing the shit out of these idiots, and I hope he wins.
I don't even know where to start with the mall ninja jokes. I'm going to be shaking my head (and laughing my ass off...and it's a decent-sized ass, folks) all morning over this one.
-Mark
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mrokern
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Post subject: Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 6:58 am |
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Longtime Regular |
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Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:40 pm Posts: 2264 Location: Eden Prairie
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"Jack, he's headed for Victoria's Secret!"
"Damnit, I don't have time for that right now! I have to get to Hallmark to stop the illegal ornament dealer! And don't talk about Victoria on an unsecure line...she's got a secret for a reason!"
Ok, fine, so I DID know where to start with the mall ninja jokes.
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PocketProtector642
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Post subject: Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 7:22 am |
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Longtime Regular |
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Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2008 8:36 am Posts: 702 Location: St. Paulish
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"counter-terrorism security ninja unit"
_________________ Proud owner of 2 wonderful SGH holsters. "If man will not work, he shall not eat" (2 Th 3:14) "If you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one" -Jesus (Luke 22:36)
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Andrew Rothman
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Post subject: Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 7:26 am |
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Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2005 10:24 am Posts: 6767 Location: Twin Cities
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Quote: Jasper said the security guard was part of a counter-terrorism unit called Risk Assessment and Mitigation (RAM). RAM officers are trained in "behavior detection techniques" to identify suspicious people, and Jasper said the guard was responding to Allen's actions.
"We must be on guard at all times," Jasper said. "Our officers have an obligation to investigate anytime they see what they believe is a suspicious activity, even if that activity turns out to be benign."
Ha! That sure was suspicious, sitting on a bench, drinking a mocha, and writing in his journal. Oh, wait, and looking at his watch!!!!!11!!one!!!
It is to laugh.
_________________ * NRA, UT, MADFI certified Minnesota Permit to Carry instructor, and one of 66,513 law-abiding permit holders. Read my blog.
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SultanOfBrunei
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Post subject: Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 7:33 am |
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Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:13 pm Posts: 1743 Location: Lakeville
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mrokern wrote: <...> Seriously, I'm glad he's suing the shit out of these idiots, and I hope he wins. <...>
I am glad he is suing too, but in this day and age, $100k is hardly "suing the shit out" of anyone. I'd say in this case $100k is a very reasonable sum.
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Erik_Pakieser
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Post subject: Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 7:33 am |
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Senior Member |
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Joined: Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:16 am Posts: 364 Location: Minneapolis, MN
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Anyone have a copy of the original complaint? I'd like to see where this one goes.
I'm interested in finding out if the "encirclement" of the subject by security guards and police could be considered an arrest.
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nmat
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Post subject: Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 7:58 am |
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Senior Member |
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Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:59 am Posts: 434 Location: Twin Cities
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<img src="http://www.tracitoguchi.com/images/colinatkahalatt.jpg">
R.A.M. agent interviewing another suspicious foreigner.
_________________ “...whoever rescues a single life earns as much merit as though he had rescued the entire world”
-The Talmud
Protect yourself and the ones you love.
NRA Certified Instructor
MADFI Certified Instructor
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djeepp
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Post subject: Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 8:02 am |
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Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2009 2:14 pm Posts: 203
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Why sue for money? It just looks like he is out to make a buck instead of a point. Why not sue to get these tards fired?
_________________ "It's a piece of cake to bake a pretty cake"
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mrokern
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Post subject: Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 8:06 am |
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Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:40 pm Posts: 2264 Location: Eden Prairie
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"MOACTU Control, this is Macy Five-Niner. Unidentified aircraft located near center of mall. Please advise course of action, request to go Maglites free."
"Uh, Macy Five-Niner, this is MOACTU Control. Radar shows aircraft to be LEGO spaceship. Release of Maglites is not authorized."
Yeah, it's gonna be a fun day.
-Mark
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mrokern
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Post subject: Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 8:08 am |
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Longtime Regular |
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Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:40 pm Posts: 2264 Location: Eden Prairie
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nmat wrote: <img src="http://www.tracitoguchi.com/images/colinatkahalatt.jpg"> R.A.M. agent interviewing another suspicious foreigner.
Dude, is that Ernest Borgnine?
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mrokern
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Post subject: Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 8:23 am |
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Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:40 pm Posts: 2264 Location: Eden Prairie
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Counter-terrorism operators:
NOT a counter-terrorism operator:
Any questions?
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joelr
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Post subject: Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 8:26 am |
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The Man |
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Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2005 5:43 am Posts: 7970 Location: Minneapolis MN
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jaysong
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Post subject: Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 8:34 am |
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Joined: Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:09 am Posts: 983 Location: Brewster
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It cannot be called Camp Snoopy due to a change on peanuts naming rights, I believe that area is now referred to as Camp Sniper.
_________________ Professional Firearms Training. LLC.
http://www.mngunclass.com
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nmat
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Post subject: Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 8:52 am |
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Senior Member |
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Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:59 am Posts: 434 Location: Twin Cities
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mrokern wrote: Counter-terrorism operators: NOT a counter-terrorism operator: Any questions?
Wait, still confused... You're being too vague. They both look like counter-terrorism operators to me...
_________________ “...whoever rescues a single life earns as much merit as though he had rescued the entire world”
-The Talmud
Protect yourself and the ones you love.
NRA Certified Instructor
MADFI Certified Instructor
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