Black Man Arrested at Comedy Show After White Woman Complains About His Loud Laughing

A Black man apprehended at a comedy venue for “Laughing While Black” has initiated legal action against Missouri law enforcement, alleging racial profiling. Plaintiff Steve Young, a police accountability advocate, was arrested alongside his white girlfriend, Winifred L. Jamieson, a fellow activist. Both co-founded the Kansas City Law Enforcement Accountability Project, advocating for victims of police brutality since 2021. The federal lawsuit, filed on June 18, targets Kansas City officers B. Dougherty and J. Comfort, asserting they violated the couple's constitutional rights. Young's race was allegedly a critical factor in the arrest, with claims that Dougherty has a record of racial profiling. The incident took place during a Hasan Minhaj performance on March 22, 2022, when a white woman accused Young of disruptive laughter. Despite the couple’s lack of disorderly conduct, they were charged without proper investigation. Their lawsuit challenges violations of their Fourth and 14th Amendment rights, alongside claims of malicious prosecution.