Birmingham, Alabama. A policeman was suspended at the weekend after shooting a Halloween reveller dressed in blackface. The victim was a white man aged 24 who had dressed up as the superhero Black Panther for a party.
The policeman could not be named, but has been relieved until the end of the year, at least. County police chief Geoff Honky said, "It's a sad day. We would like to advise folks not to dress up in blackface for Halloween, to avoid incidents like this."
Studies suggest that white people in blackface are up to ten times more likely to be shot than white people not wearing blackface, or in yellowface.
"You can't blame the police for doing their job," continued Honky. "They get spooked easily."
