Cuffed actress defends actions

"Django Unchained" actress Daniele Watts defended her refusal to show her ID to Los Angeles police before they handcuffed her last week.

The African-American actress and her white boyfriend accused police of racism for questioning them in what they said was only a public display of affection.

"I believe in America and what it stands for," Watts said.

Police responded to a citizen complaint that "a male white and female black were involved in a sexual act inside a Mercedes" outside the gate of CBS Studio Center on Thursday, according to a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department.

Legal experts said the officer had the right to request identification if he suspected illegal behavior, but audio of part of the encounter with police, published by TMZ, revealed that Watts did not believe so.

"Somebody called, which gives me the right to be here," the unidentified Los Angeles police officer is heard saying to Watts. "So It gives me the right to identify you by law."

"Do you know how many times the cops have been called just for being black?" she responded.

"Who brought up the race card?" the officer said.

"I'm bringing it up because I have every right to be here," Watts said.

When the officer again asked for her ID, the actress responded, "You can take me down to the court office, and I can make a scene about it. And you know what? I have a publicist, and I work as an actor in this studio."

The officer, who patrols a neighborhood home to many A-list celebs, including George Clooney and Miley Cyrus, seemed unmoved by the prospect. "I'm mildly interested you have a publicist, but I'm going to get your ID," he told her.

"No, I'm going to say no, and if you'd like my ID you can say that I'm resisting arrest," she said.

"There's no resisting, you're just interfering," he said. "I have probable cause; we received a radio call."

Watts called her father. "I can't make out with my boyfriend in front of my f--king studio?" she is heard yelling to her father. "I don't have to give him my ID because it's my right to sit on the f--king street corner and make out with my boyfriend. That's my right."

"Keep yelling, it really helps," the officer then said.

Watts was eventually handcuffed and placed in a patrol car. She was released a few minutes later when her boyfriend relented and gave the officer her ID.