The Conversation (0)
x
Sirena Bergman
Aug 09, 2020
Getty
Labour MP and former Shadow Equalities Secretary Dawn Butler has said on Twitter that she was stopped by the police earlier on today.
Tagging the Met Police, she said the incident occurred in Hackney, and she had recorded it.
She also said she would release more details imminently.
I JUST GOT STOPPED BY THE POLICE DRIVING THROUGH HACKNEY... MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW...@metpoliceuk I recorded the whole incident.— Dawn Butler MP✊🏾💙 (@Dawn Butler MP✊🏾💙) 1596971914
People reacted with weary outrage, suggesting it was likely a result of racial profiling by the police.
Fellow MP Diane Abbott amplified the message with a retweet:
This is so unsurprising. When will the Metropolitan police give up on racial profiling? #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/sOCffmZcoZ— Diane Abbott MP (@Diane Abbott MP) 1596975620
David Lammy also replied:
@DawnButlerBrent @metpoliceuk Big hugs Dawn. Love and prayers...Dx— David Lammy (@David Lammy) 1596977749
Many others expressed sympathy and support, and highlighted the importance of speaking out in cases like these.
One of the things I really admire about Dawn Butler is she's not shy about calling out her experiences of racism. S… https://t.co/4oG8n3Fyw3— Another Angry Woman (@Another Angry Woman) 1596972792
Solidarity with Dawn Butler https://t.co/bWdSCXRqq4— Alex Tiffin (@Alex Tiffin) 1596973613
Stopped whilst being in the possession of Black skin no doubt. #Solidarity Dawn ✊🏾💪🏾 https://t.co/HnxBG8FauV— Dame Linda Woke 🇵🇸 #CorbynWasRight🌹 (@Dame Linda Woke 🇵🇸 #CorbynWasRight🌹) 1596978994
@DawnButlerBrent @metpoliceuk Sorry to read this Dawn, solidarity.— Aaron Bastani (@Aaron Bastani) 1596974283
And shared their own experiences.
@DawnButlerBrent @ThatTimWalker @metpoliceuk Black, male Consultant surgeon I worked with used to be regularly stop… https://t.co/gDQepgPZyE— mrsrushmereforest-klopp@💙☘️ (@mrsrushmereforest-klopp@💙☘️) 1596972777
@DawnButlerBrent @metpoliceuk Talking to a close friend yesterday, one of his clients a Rastafarian ,over the space… https://t.co/q2Na6xas34— The Most Reverend StarDoG "Minister of Shadows" (@The Most Reverend StarDoG "Minister of Shadows") 1596973050
Earlier this week, Butler wrote a scathing column about racial bias in policing for Metro.co.uk, calling for Cressida Dick to resign.
Last month, she was forced to close her constituency office after threats against her and her staff "drastically escalated" in recent months.
indy100 has reached out to both the Met Police and Butler's office for comment.