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Caller in Gates Arrest Didn't Mention Race

Tapes show I'm not a racist, says woman who alerted police

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 29, 2009 2:20 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Massachusetts woman who called 911 on Henry Louis Gates and his chauffeur as they wrestled with the Harvard professor’s front door said today she never mentioned race to Sgt. James Crowley, the officer who arrested Gates. Lucia Whalen’s statement contradicts the police report filed by Crowley, which states that Whalen described “two black males with backpacks,” after he arrived in person, the New York Times reports.

Speaking in Cambridge, Whalen took issue with being portrayed as racist. Whalen said she was glad police released the recording of her 911 call, in which she repeatedly says that the two men may live at the house, and mentions race to the dispatcher only when prompted. Hopefully, Whalen said, the tapes show “that I tried to be careful.”

Lucia Whalen, the woman who placed the 911 call that led to the arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., speaks in Cambridge, Mass., today.
Lucia Whalen, the woman who placed the 911 call that led to the arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., speaks in Cambridge, Mass., today.   (AP Photo)
Lucia Whalen, the woman who placed the 911 call that led to the arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., speaks in Cambridge, Mass., today.
Lucia Whalen, the woman who placed the 911 call that led to the arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., speaks in Cambridge, Mass., today.   (AP Photo)
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When I was called a racist, I was the target of scorn and ridicule because of things I never said. The criticism hurt me as a person but also hurt the community of Cambridge.
- Lucia Whalen

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 21 comments
kokuaguy
Aug 1, 2009 6:15 AM CDT
Agreed anch and Jester. I was makng a point about "eye of the beholder" and the difficulty of setting standards and drawing boundaries. This is all being discussed on the newser Facebook page and I wanted to see what would happen if I flagged Jester's hateful comment and also included the "disclaimer/explanation" that I did. All it got me was to have my own comment flagged. Well, we're being told on the FB page that some new changes will be rolled out on Monday. I'm not sure what to think about the new profile pages. It won't make it any easier to break my newser addiction. On the other hand ... now I'm not so sure I want to.
easterner
Jul 31, 2009 11:21 AM CDT
SEEEEEE>>>>>Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. has sent a bouquet of flowers and a note to the woman whose 911 call led to his arrest earlier this month.
paul123
Jul 30, 2009 12:04 PM CDT
She was calling for someone who saw it too, but she could see some activity herself

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