Suppose people needed more reasons to hate the Trump Washington, D.C., cleanup. In that case, new videos have emerged portraying arrests for seemingly minor offenses. One Washington, D.C. man experienced the impact of the cleanup sweep and expressed his frustration quite vocally.
In a video posted to Reddit, officers arrest a man in the middle of the road for allegedly smoking outside. The man insists he wasn’t smoking, but the officers seem unconvinced. Although the situation revolves around something seemingly trivial, police vehicles flood the neighborhood, likely searching for others to arrest or fine.
Many Reddit users speculate that the arrest isn’t just about smoking cigarettes. A bystander confirms, “I did, I saw him smoking.” The arrested man appeals to the officer, saying, “Don’t do me like that, pick some weed up off the ground.” If police had evidence of him smoking weed publicly, they technically had the right to arrest him, as smoking weed on the streets is prohibited. It might have been wiser for him to remain silent, but the situation escalated with threats.
Despite officers explaining the reasons for his arrest multiple times, the man doesn’t accept his predicament. His “Karen” personality surfaces when he demands they call their chief. In the blink of an eye, he challenges the officer, saying, “Take your badge off, I bet I do something.”
Many Reddit users express their frustration over the Washington, D.C. cleanup and the communities most affected by police action. One user writes, “So basically they’re just driving through black populated areas and harassing black people. Pathetic.” Another adds, “Meanwhile, every middle-class white kid in Upper Northwest D.C. is freely smoking weed in the closet neighborhood park.” Users raise important questions about which communities face the most scrutiny.
Public criticism resonates, with many stating, “Smoking, the most violent of violent crimes.” They point out that authorities ignore real violent crime issues within the one percent, while these petty crimes distract the public. In any case, does the community become a better place after arresting a man for smoking, or does it foster more hostility?
