The husband of a top Philadelphia executive is stopped by state police on the side of the highway and says ‘it’s because I’m black’ – while the mayor labels the video ‘very concerning’
- Celena Morrison, executive director of Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs, was arrested along with her husband during a dramatic traffic stop
- The incident was caught on camera and the pair have since been released
A top Philadelphia city official and her husband were pulled over by state troopers during a traffic stop, with the officer desperately shouting, “I work for the mayor.”
Celena Morrison, executive director of the Office of LGBT Affairs in Philadelphia, was arrested Saturday along with her husband Darius McLean. They have both since been released without charge.
The shocking incident was recorded by Morrison, who can be heard shouting “I work for the mayor” as the unidentified state trooper holds her husband.
McLean, seen along the highway as the officer handcuffs him, calls out to his distressed wife. He then shouts, “It’s because I’m black.”
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, for whom Morrison works, called the video “deeply concerning” in a statement about X.
The incident was captured on camera and shared on Facebook. Darius McLean, Celena Morrison’s husband, is arrested along the highway
Morrison is the executive director of the Office of LGBT Affairs in Philadelphia
Pennsylvania State Police said the trooper initiated a traffic stop on westbound I-76 around 9 a.m. for a vehicle with multiple violations.
They said state police initially stopped a gray Infinity sedan — believed to be driven by Morrison — for “multiple vehicle code violations.”
A green Dodge sedan then pulled up behind the trooper’s car, believed to be driven by Morrison’s husband, McLean.
The officer then approached the Dodge and police said the driver was “verbally combative” and “resisting arrest.”
Morrison began recording the incident and she can be heard shouting “I work for the mayor” as her husband scrambled to the ground.
As the officer stood with her husband on the side of the road, Morrison said, “That’s my husband… That’s my husband, please.”
The trooper tried to handcuff McLean and a scuffle broke out.
McLean can then be heard saying, “It’s because I’m black,” to which the trooper responds, “It’s not because you’re black.”
The trooper then approaches Morrison and she drops her phone.
He can be heard shouting at her: ‘turn around’ and ‘give me your hands or you’ll get a bag’.
The soldier could be seen standing over McLean as Morrison, who recorded the ordeal, shouted at police
Her husband, Darius McLean, is the COO of the William Way Community Center, according to his LinkedIn
Mayor Cherelle Parker labeled the incident on X as ‘very concerning’
The trooper then approached Morrison, who dropped her phone. She was also handcuffed and arrested
Morrison then tells her husband not to worry, before adding: “He just punched me.”
Later you hear her say, ‘What’s going on? Why are you so aggressive?’
The officer then picks up her phone and says, “This was a simple traffic stop because you didn’t have your lights on. You didn’t have your lights on and you’re tailgating.”
Both Morrison and McLean were taken into custody on resisting arrest, obstruction of justice, disorderly conduct and other related charges, but were released without charges on Saturday.
McLean is the COO of the William Way Community Center, according to his LinkedIn.
Mayor Cherelle Parker said on