A Boston-based civil rights group is calling for an independent investigation into “racial profiling” at the Boston Marathon after a predominantly Black running group was blocked by police officers at their cheering spot in Newton.
On Monday, cops with bicycles lined up at Pioneers Run Crew’s tent along Heartbreak Hill at Mile 21. This restricted the group’s cheering access to the road and their ability to give out high fives to runners. Police officers also took positions behind the group’s tent.
The police officers did this after the Boston Athletic Association had alerted Newton Police three times about spectators crossing the rope barrier and impeding runners. Pioneers Run Crew and other running groups have noted that thousands of spectators jump onto the course, but this type of police presence only happened to a group of predominantly Black and Brown spectators.
In the wake of this, Lawyers for Civil Rights Boston on Wednesday wrote a letter to the City of Newton and Newton Police about “racial profiling at the Boston Marathon.” The civil rights group is calling for an independent investigation of police surveillance and law enforcement tactics at the marathon.
“A group of predominantly Black observers near Mile 21 were targeted for police mistreatment based on their race and identity,” the civil rights group wrote to Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and Police Chief John Carmichael.
“We are also requesting an emergency meeting to discuss serious racial discrimination concerns and to urge immediate action, including an independent investigation of law enforcement activities during the Boston Marathon,” the group added in the letter.
The group noted that it has gotten requests for legal assistance from both marathon spectators and runners, who reported that police officers targeted and singled out Black people for surveillance and aggressive treatment during the race.
Lawyers for Civil Rights Boston also urged Newton’s leaders to “review the Newton Police Department’s policies and procedures to root out racial profiling.”
“Issue a public apology to marathon runners and spectators for the improper policing of Black people in Newton,” the group also wrote in the letter.
On Tuesday, a Newton Police spokesperson said in a statement about the incident: “After being notified by the B.A.A. three times about spectators traversing the rope barrier and impeding runners, the Newton Police Department responded respectfully and repeatedly requesting that spectators stay behind the rope and not encroach onto the course.”
The police spokesperson added, “When spectators continued to cross the rope, NPD with additional officers calmly used bicycles for a short period to demarcate the course and keep both the runners and spectators safe.”