by Ellyce Ferguson

May 1, 2018

Photo Via PIX 11 News

This is getting ridiculous. Black people can’t seem to do anything these days without the cops getting called on them. Darren Martin, a former White House staffer during the Barack Obama administration, moved back to his home state of New York with an unpleasant welcome.

As he was moving into his apartment on Friday, neighbors called the police on him believing he was a burglar. Yes, while carrying boxes…IN. Check out his recap of events below:

I was happy to move back to NYC and into my new apt in the UWS, near Harlem. The plan was to do this today in daylight, recording all the pomp that comes along with such a move. Well, life and work happens and you end up having to move on a Friday night at 11pm, and unexpectedly, pic.twitter.com/D16sHCEI7i

— Darren D. Martin (@MartinDarrenD) April 28, 2018

As if on cue, right outside on the street I see an NYPD car parking quickly and in the wrong direction. They meant business. 3 officers hop out, demand I let them in the building, and proceed to question me. I live here and I'm moving, was my message, but it didn't permeate.

— Darren D. Martin (@MartinDarrenD) April 28, 2018

And, again, this is how you feel pre-arrest. Not mentioning the rest of the CJ system, this part is one that at least many Black men have been in. I was blessed enough to be released and not become a hashtag. This was a tame encounter compared to others I've been in and witnessed

— Darren D. Martin (@MartinDarrenD) April 28, 2018

#MovingWhileBlack is the term Martin used to describe his “offense” that caused six officers to show up at the complex. PIX 11 News reported that police found nothing criminal about the New York native’s activity in an investigation, and no arrests were made.

Yeah, him. I gotta say, moving up a 5th floor walk up is tough, but each of those 100 plus steps becomes increasingly grueling with the thought that you're feared or just not wanted in the building.

I guess next time I'll wear a suit.#MovingWhileBlack

— Darren D. Martin (@MartinDarrenD) April 28, 2018

This news comes on the heels of similar events where the cops were called on a group of black women for golfing too slow last week in Pennsylvania, and the arrest of two black men for simply sitting inside of a Philadelphia Starbucks. Black people are being profiled for simply living and existing, and it’s repulsive.

We’re hopeful that Darren’s neighbors will refrain from calling the police on him when he enters and exits his building moving forward, as he does not plan on moving out anytime soon.

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