Fact Check: "Fred Brewington, a civil rights attorney representing Elzon Lemus, stated that the stop may have violated constitutional protections and argued it was a clear case of racial profiling."
What We Know
Elzon Lemus, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen of Hispanic descent, was stopped and detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while on his way to work in Westbury, New York. During the incident, ICE agents allegedly stated that Lemus "looks like somebody we are looking for," which raises concerns about the basis for the stop. Lemus was reportedly surrounded by multiple ICE and Homeland Security vehicles, and the agents demanded his identification, threatening him with further action if he did not comply (The Independent, Yahoo News).
Fred Brewington, Lemus' attorney, described the incident as a violation of civil rights, asserting that ICE cannot "randomly, on a hunch, stop people," which he deemed "contrary to the Constitution" (Yahoo News, NewsBreak). Brewington emphasized that such actions reflect a broader issue of racial profiling, particularly against individuals of Hispanic descent (The Independent).
Analysis
The claim that Fred Brewington stated the stop may have violated constitutional protections and was a clear case of racial profiling is substantiated by multiple reports. Brewington's comments were made in the context of Lemus' detention, where he articulated concerns about the legality of the stop based on Lemus' appearance rather than any criminal behavior. The attorney's assertion aligns with established legal principles regarding unlawful stops, which require reasonable suspicion based on specific facts rather than racial or ethnic characteristics (Yahoo News, The Independent).
The sources reporting on this incident are credible and provide consistent accounts of the events. The Independent and Yahoo News are well-regarded news outlets that cover civil rights issues extensively. They reported on the incident shortly after it occurred, capturing the immediate reactions from Lemus and Brewington, which adds to the reliability of their accounts. Additionally, the presence of video evidence from the incident, as mentioned by Lemus, further supports the claims made by Brewington (The Independent).
However, it is essential to note that while the attorney's statements are grounded in the context of the incident, the broader implications of racial profiling and constitutional violations are often subject to interpretation and legal debate. Nonetheless, Brewington's comments reflect a widely recognized concern regarding the intersection of race and law enforcement practices in the U.S.
Conclusion
The claim that Fred Brewington stated the stop may have violated constitutional protections and argued it was a clear case of racial profiling is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources supports this assertion, highlighting the attorney's concerns about the legality of the stop based on racial profiling.
Sources
- US citizen blasts ICE after being detained as he drove to work
- Elzon Lemus Illegally Detained By ICE In Westbury: Attorney
- Another U.S. Citizen of Hispanic Origin Detained by ICE on His Way to Work Speaks Out
- Nassau County Police body camera video released of alleged racial profiling
- US citizen blasts ICE after being detained as he drove to work
