Lawsuit accuses Washington, D.C. police of keeping 'watch list' of critics
February 3, 2022
5:43 PM CST
Last Updated 2 days ago
By Kanishka Singh
2 minute read
Feb 3 (Reuters) - The District of Colombia's Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) maintains a "watch list" of reporters, advocates and critics, and delays or denies requests for public records based on who is making the requests, a lawsuit alleged.
People are put on the watch list when they "publicly criticize MPD or when they request information that has the potential to embarrass MPD or its officers", said the lawsuit filed on Wednesday by defense attorney and police reform advocate Amy Phillips against the District of Colombia in U.S. District Court in Washington.
Those on the list who make Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests "face hurdles that the general public avoids" such as fees or request denials, it added.
The suit demands an end to the practice and a declaration that the list violates the Constitution.
More:
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/lawsuit-accuses-washington-dc-police-keeping-watch-list-critics-2022-02-03/?rpc=401&
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