To the Editor:
I am a first year student at the University of Virginia. I have lived in Alexandria's West End since I was 2 years old and am a proud graduate of T.C.Williams High School. I've followed the rules, did well in school, I was active in my community and my school. Nothing prepared for what was to happen when I returned from college for Thanksgiving and Christmas break.
Twice, while parked in Alexandria, I was approached and questioned or interrogated by Alexandria Police. I was not breaking any law. I understand there may be valid reasons to be questioned. Nonetheless, I feel like my primary offense was being young and Black and in a parked car. I am not making wild accusations. I was not physically assaulted.
These instances do make me concerned about police interactions with the Black community. At the least we need to track police stops and arrests by race or nationality. Let's see if there is a pattern of disparate treatment by the police of people of color in Alexandria. While I hope that is not the case, my recent experiences have deeply troubled me.
Razan Adam
Alexandria