Black People in Minneapolis Are 9 Times More Likely to Be Arrested for Minor Offenses

http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/black_people_in_minneapolis_nine_times_more_likely_to_be_arrested_for_low-l

A damning ACLU report finds “severe,” “pervasive” and “systematic” racial disparities in arrests by Minneapolis police. The investigation reveals that blacks in that city are 8.7 times more likely to be arrested for low-level offenses than whites are. Native Americans fared little better, at 8.6 times more likely.

Although whites make up 40% of Minneapolis’ youth population, they account for only 14% of youth arrests.

Low-level offenses, defined as any carrying a fine of $3,000 or less and/or a year or less in jail, most often include trespassing, disorderly conduct, consuming in public and lurking.