BEVERLY HILLS, CA - OCTOBER 27: Attorney Chris ONeal, plaintiff Lakisha Swift, attorney Benjamin Crump, Bradley Gage, and Lakishas boyfriend Joseph Nett, left to right, hold a news conference on the steps of Beverly Hills City Hall to discuss developments in a class action lawsuit filed against the city alleging racial profiling. Topics discussed include racial data behind recent arrests made by the Rodeo Drive Task Force, the new plaintiffs in the lawsuit, and a newly filed governmental claim and more. Beverly Hills City Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021 in Beverly Hills, CA.

It probably won’t surprise anyone (Black) to hear that police in the wealthy community of Beverly Hills aren’t the friendliest to Black people. But the allegations in this new lawsuit still might surprise (and horrify) you.

The lawsuit is accusing Beverly Hills law enforcement officers of racially profiling nearly 1,100 Black drivers during traffic stops. The case is being spearheaded by civil rights Attorney Ben Crump, who called the stops “racial profiling 101.”

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The city is denying that racial profiling is taking place. “The City of Beverly Hills is an international destination that always welcomes visitors from across the country and around the world,” they wrote in a statement to NBC News. “The role of the Beverly Hills Police Department is to enforce the law, regardless of race.”

Despite the city’s protestations, Crump and his team are pushing forward with the lawsuit. In total, the aggrieved parties are asking for $500 million.

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