Just Cause (1995) actor Blair Underwood joined Blade (1998) star Wesley Snipes at a news conference in 1991, according to the Los Angeles Times, to talk about Snipes’ alleged mistreatment by the police in Los Angeles in the same year.
Snipes told the tale of his unwarranted arrest by the police while he was driving a car that his production company had leased. The report mentioned that the star had appeared in the film New Jack City as one of the police officers recognized him.
Though Snipes was reportedly released after two hours, the LAPD was bashed by actors of color and other notable personalities front, right, and center.
Los Angeles Times report threw the spotlight on the racial profiling of people of color in the town mentioning that they were often targeted by police officials.
LAPD’s Intimidation of Wesley Snipes Angered Blair Underwood
Underwood was furious when he found out Wesley Snipes was wrongfully arrested and that the officers allegedly used strong methods to humiliate him in one of Los Angeles’ streets. The only reason Snipes was targeted like this, according to Underwood, was that he wasn’t a caucasian man.
Snipes elaborated that he was followed for several blocks by two police officials who pulled him out of his leased Mustang and pushed him on the pavement.
“If he [Snipes] were Tom Cruise this would have never happened,” Underwood claimed (via Los Angeles Times) “They would have realized it was a mistake right away.”
It was later revealed that this all happened due to a computer entry mentioning the Mustang to be stolen. Snipes was tied to a bench and handcuffed for further inquiry before being released two hours later.
Blair Underwood’s Own Run-In With The Law
Underwood had his own harsh experience with the Los Angeles police officials and it happened before Snipes had to face the intimidation. The actor said that the police officer thought he had a stolen car for which he pulled him out and pointed a gun at him. Underwood said, “I was livid.”
The police spokesperson, in an interview, revealed that the officers are usually allowed to use verbal warnings and even use deadly force, in case there is a need.
The news conference that Blair Underwood and Snipes appeared in had the American Civil Liberties Union’s sponsorship and its executive director – Ramona Ripston said, “Because of the criminal profiles used by police in Los Angeles, a black man driving a rental car is an immediate suspect of a crime.”
Wesley Snipes’ Blade is currently streaming on Netflix.
Source: Los Angeles Times
