Police Draw Guns on Two Black Men Opening Bank Account at Skokie, Ill., Bank of America Branch

In a stunningly brazen case of racial profiling, Skokie police drew their guns and surrounded a Bank of America branch Monday morning because two black men tried to open bank accounts. The men said that they were profiled by employees and the police because of how they looked. The men were apparently trying to open an account, but employees thought they appeared suspicious and called police. A bank employee said there is no security at the branch, which is across from the Old Orchard Mall. I am always amazed at people who try to make the argument that there is no racial profiling. What do you call this? What is the "right look" that black men must assume? This is totally reprehensible and disturbing on so many levels.

According to media reports, after police surrounded the bank, both men surrendered. One man left the bank with his arms up, while the other sat on the sidewalk with two officers pointing machine guns at him. The men had no weapons. After checking out the men’s story, with egg on their faces, the Skokie police reportedly shook hands with the men and let them go on their way.

Skokie police defended their actions, issuing the following statement about what happened: On Monday, June 8, 2009, at approximately 10:00 a.m., at 10000 Skokie Blvd., the Bank of America manager contacted the Skokie Police Department regarding two suspicious males walking around inside the bank. The manager stated that upon entry, one male told the other male to tap him three times when he was ready; one male also had what appeared to be an object in his waistband.

Skokie police officers responded and established a perimeter around the bank.
The suspicious persons exited the bank without incident. They were identified and released without charges. It was determined that no crime had been committed.

About six weeks ago there was a robbery at a nail salon across the street from the bank, where the robbers literally stole ladies’ wallets while they were getting manicures. That may have added to the bank employees’ nervousness. Chicagoland has seen over 200 bank robberies in each of the past four years. Source: NBC Chicago

Okay, I understand vigilance, but newsflash, not all black men are criminals and the treatment of these two men was just unconscionable. Personally, that would have been the last time a Bank of America branch would have seen me. There is absolutely no excuse for what occurred at this bank.