Oakland's police 'Riders' on trial
In Oakland, California, elite police officers are on trial for using
dishonest and brutal tactics to make arrests. -- Washington Post
The Patriot Act: A big help or just Big Brother?
Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act expanded the authority of the FBI and
law enforcement to gain access to business records, educational records and
library records, including stored electronic data and communications. --
The Keene Sentinel
British resentment of war, U.S. power growing
Apart from Prime Minister Tony Blair and his inner circle, there is growing
unease and resentment not just over Iraq but over U.S. power and foreign
policy in general. -- Washington Post
Fuckin' RR. Grr.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OAKLAND, CA--The ACLU of Northern California and other concerned
individuals and organizations today sent an open letter to Oakland Mayor
Jerry Brown urging him to fill the empty seats on the city's Citizens'
Police Review Board.
As a result of term expirations and resignations, only four Oakland
community members have been appointed to the nine-member board, preventing
the board from even holding a meeting, hearing cases or making policy
recommendations. In fact, a meeting scheduled for today was canceled for
lack of a quorum.
"The so-called Rider's police scandal in Oakland uncovered more than a
hundred cases of police abuse, including police beatings, planting
evidence, and harassing innocent members of the community," said Mark
Schlosberg, Director of Police Practices Policy for the ACLU of Northern
California. "That is why it is critical that Mayor Brown appoint board
members as soon as possible. It is his mayoral obligation to the people of
Oakland."
The open letter, signed by several local community groups and a member of
the citizens' review board, stressed the importance of a functioning
civilian review board because "effective civilian review of the police is
necessary to ensure a vigorous, impartial, and thorough investigation of
police complaints."
In addition, it would renew the confidence of a community shaken by several
highly publicized police scandals.
The letter also exhorts Mayor Brown to select diverse and talented
candidates who demonstrate a commitment to the mission of the review board
in order to improve the board and to rid it of the current membership
problems.
"A new board filled with dedicated members that represent the rich
diversity of Oakland could improve the city's civilian review system of
police complaints and improve the Oakland Police Department and community
relations," said Maggie Aragon of People United for a Better Oakland.
The letter follows:
http://www.aclu.org/news/NewsPrint.cfm?ID=9631&c=114
