Filmmaker Donisha Prendergast, 33, and her two friends were confused for burglars in the San Bernardino suburb last week while packing their belongings into a car.
A resident in the street called 911 because he or she did not ‘recognize the vehicle or the people as neighbors or the homeowner’.
The trio – which also included Kells Fyffe Marshall and Komi-Oluwa Olafimihan – were released when the officers established they were indeed Airbnb guests.
But Prendergast – the daughter of Sharon Marley, who was adopted by Bob Marley – took to Instagram to attack police and to link the incident to race.
She wrote: ‘So much things to say right now…. Got surrounded by the police for being black in a white neighbourhood.
‘I’m sad and irritated to see that fear is still the first place police officers go in their pursuit to serve and protect, to the point that protocol supersedes their ability to have discernment.’
She added: ‘Many have suffered and died in moments like these. That’s a crazy reality check. Give Thanks for life, and the ability to stand our ground. We are stronger together. Use your voice collectively.
‘We have a right to be right.’