A biracial family in Berkeley, California, was out for a walk on Memorial Day weekend when a white woman began following and harassing them, according to the Berkeley Side.
While out with his family, Essex Cook, 30, noticed a white woman walking behind the group. The woman has been identified as Lauren Milewski, 31.
Milewsk began following the family and told them they were taking up too much of the sidewalk. When they offered to let her pass, she refused and began harassing them.
“You don’t belong here. Get out of Berkeley. Get out of here. You don’t belong anywhere,” Milewski told the family several times in the video.
Cook said that he is used to dealing with racial situations, but remained calm since his family was with him, including his 2-year-old son, and pregnant girlfriend.
Moments later the family noticed another white couple, who saw the entire situation, calling the police.
“When the police cars arrived, I was scared,” said his cousin, Elexia Cook. “I didn’t know what the white couple that stood there was going to say to the police, or what they said over the phone. We were scared that something else might have happened, and we would be arrested along with her until things got sorted out.”
Berkeley Police Lt. Peter Hong arrived at the scene and said that Milewski had a history of aggressive behavior. The video shows Milewski refusing arrest. No criminal charges were pressed.
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