Shreveport law may unfairly target blacks
Ola Mae Kelly knows walking in the street is dangerous. But the 56-year-old also knows sometimes walking on the sidewalk can be equally so...
From The Shreveport Times:
Ola Mae Kelly knows walking in the street is dangerous. But the 56-year-old also knows sometimes walking on the sidewalk can be equally so.
Years ago, Kelly was walking on the sidewalk when a man grabbed her from behind and dragged her away. Since then, the life-long Shreveport resident has made it a habit to walk in the street. It makes her feel safer.
At about 4:15 p.m. Aug. 16, Kelly was walking down East 75th Street, in the street, unaware she was breaking a city law that makes it illegal for citizens to walk in the street if there is a sidewalk. Kelly was surprised when a police car coming the opposite way, slowed and turned around after passing her.
She was even more bewildered when the encounter with officer Gerald McKinney resulted in injuries to her face, shoulder and knee — and her arrest.
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