Top Philadelphia city executive is ‘violently’ detained by state trooper on side of the highway and says ‘it’s because I’m black’ – as Mayor slams video as ‘very concerning’

  • Executive Director of the Office of LGBT Affairs in Philadelphia Celena Morrison was arrested along with her husband during a traffic stop
  • The incident was caught on camera and the pair have since been released without charge

A senior Philadelphia city official and her husband were forcibly detained by state troopers during a traffic stop, with the official 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 caught on camera by Morrison, who can be heard shouting “I work for the mayor” as the unidentified state trooper holds her husband.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker called the video “deeply concerning” in a statement on X.

Pennsylvania State Police said the trooper initiated a traffic stop on westbound I-76 around 9 a.m. for a vehicle with multiple violations.

The incident was captured on camera and shared on Facebook

The trooper could be seen standing over McLean as Morrison screamed

The trooper could be seen standing over McLean as Morrison screamed

The trooper then approached Morrison, who dropped her phone

The trooper then approached Morrison, who dropped her phone

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 can be heard shouting, “I work for the mayor.”

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.

Morrison 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’.

Morrison is the executive director of the Office of LGBT Affairs in Philadelphia

Morrison is the executive director of the Office of LGBT Affairs in Philadelphia

Her husband, Darius McLean, is the COO of the William Way Community Center, according to his LinkedIn

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'

Mayor Cherelle Parker labeled the incident on X as ‘very concerning’

Morrison then tells her husband not to worry, before adding, “he just punched me.”

You can later 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