Alleged racial profiling of Black Gospel Singers settled in court

Kern County and the City of Bakersfield settled a federal lawsuit with some gospel singers who said they were harassed and subjected to racial slurs. It started when a gospel event turned sour for Reggie Gridiron, his brothers and friends after a performance at the Kern County Fairgrounds. They said they were mistreated and humiliated by officers, and now, a couple years later, the two sides have reached a settlement. The group was excited to perform gospel music before dozens at the fairgrounds during the Kern County Fair in October 2002. Following the show, they decided to grab a bite to eat from a food booth. They said that’s when an officer from the Bakersfield Police Department and an officer Kern County Sheriff’s Department decided to kick them out. “The officers approached us and used profane words against us, derogatory words,” said Gridiron. Gridiron said one of those words was the “N” word, and then they were all thrown out with their cars and equipment still on the property. “That officer came back and just began to stare at us,” said Gridiron. “He was just looking at us like were like dogs or something.’ Gridiron said his civil rights were violated, and the he, his brothers and his friends were all victims of racial profiling. Though the case was settled out of court, the attorney for the City of Bakersfield, Jacob Rivas, said all the accusations of officers using racial slurs at the Fairgrounds against Gridiron and others just didn't happen. [more]