A Black woman captured part of an encounter after she says a white man followed her in a car in Groveland, Massachusetts according to NBC Boston 10. The unidentified man has since been charged with disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.
Julia Santos told police the man told her “I don’t feel safe with you driving around in my neighborhood.”
The 21-year-old told investigators she had picked up free dog food from a home about a mile away from her house after seeing a Facebook ad saying the neighbor had too many according to the police report. Then once she was own her way back home the 65-year-old man started following her in his car, turning around several times before getting into an altercation with Santos.
Santos told the news station she feared for her life and is unsure why the man was following her. She added that the incident proves racism is still alive today. Groveland Police Chief Jeffrey Gillen said Santos wasn’t doing anything wrong.
A police investigation showed that the man “disturbed neighbors” during the incident and caused one motorist to drive off the roadway to avoid his car during the incident. The video has captured the encounter between the man and Santos.
“I left and I saw you follow me all the way here, and I turned up here ’cause, quite frankly, I don’t feel safe right now,” Santos said to the man. “I don’t feel safe with you driving around my neighborhood,” the man responded.
“Why?” she asked. “There’s just too many people,” he said.
“Too many people? Or is it cause I’m Black? Is that why?” she said.
The man claimed it wasn’t about race. Santos asked if he was sure it wasn’t about race. “I don’t know what color you are,” he replied. “What color are you?”
“I just said I’m Black, and is that why you followed me?” she asked.
“That’s good, you’re Black,” he said. “Congratulations.”
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