New York senator Jesse Hamilton claims woman called police on him for handing out anti-Trump flyer

Politician accused of dividing America by speaking out against president

The woman was filmed confronting Mr Hamilton in Brooklyn (Senator Jesse Hamilton/Facebook)

A New York state senator says a woman called 911 on him simply for handing out pamphlets critical of Donald Trump.

In a video posted online and captured by a campaign staffer, the woman can be seen arguing with state senator Jesse Hamilton, telling him that he is dividing the United States by spreading anti-Trump rhetoric.

“I see the difference between you and Trump,” the woman says, before pointing at the pamphlet. “If you really want nation to be as one and fight for a better life and live the better life, you would not put this slogan here.”

The video finishes after the woman abruptly ends the conversation and walks away.

Mr Hamilton said that the woman must have called the police after leaving because officers soon showed up and indicated they had received a complaint.

The police officers determined that Mr Hamilton was not breaking the law.

Mr Hamilton, a black man, linked the incident to recent stories where people of colour have had the police called on them even though they were acting lawfully.

“The pattern of targeting black men and women for being black and alive in the communities we all share has to stop,” Mr Hamilton wrote on Facebook.

The Brooklyn neighbourhood where the incident is said to have occurred is a predominantly black area and has seen its fair share of racial conflict.

The worst instance occurred in 1991, when a three-day riot broke out between the neighbourhood’s Jewish community on one side and its West Indian and African communities on the other. Those riots resulted in at least one death, as well as property damage from thrown rocks.