From the police report by Officer Figueroa:
“The Sgt., along with the gentleman, were now on the porch of __ Ware St. and again he was shouting, now to the onlookers (about seven) “THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO BLACK MEN IN AMERICA”! The gentleman refused to listen as to why the Cambridge police were there. While on the porch, the gentleman refused to be cooperative and continued shouting that the Sgt. is racist police officer.”
It appears Gates was trying to provoke the gathering crowd of onlookers against the police officers.
At that point, when Gates is trying to incite others against the police, it was completely appropriate for police to nip that in the bud immediately for the safety of all present.
All it takes is one ACORN-type in the crowd to react to Gates and try to physically confront a police officer for the situation to quickly get out of control, with the potential for serious injury to someone.
The police should be commended for putting the safety of all present first and foremost.
Just joined the thread but Bill O. is screaming his head off! Must have been a disaster...poor Barry.