Partnership for Civil Justice settles landmark lawsuit against DC police (demonstrations against W)

[Omaha Steve]

http://pepcj.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?em_id=1221.0&dlv_id=5121&JServSessionIdr011=uzjv4mvg64.app14b

Washington, D.C.

The Partnership for Civil Justice announced today a settlement of its landmark lawsuit against the District of Columbia and the Metropolitan Police Department that arose in connection with the demonstrations against the 2001 inauguration of George W Bush. As a consequence of this federal court litigation, the MPD will now undertake significant changes in its police practices and training programs with regard to demonstrations.

This lawsuit uncovered and exposed the police department’s long-term domestic spying operation in which officers were sent undercover to infiltrate protest groups in the absence of any allegations of criminal activity. This led to a DC Council investigation and efforts to reign in police spying, incorporated into the First Amendment Rights and Police Standards Act which became effective last year. This lawsuit also revealed that felonious attacks on lawful protestors along the parade route who were beaten and pepper sprayed were carried out by MPD plain-clothed detectives on an undercover counter-intelligence detail. The MPD initially denied that these men were their officers until PCJ established it in the litigation. These attacks gained national attention including on NOW with Bill Moyers and in the movie Unconstitutional.

A critical change as a result of this litigation regards use of force against demonstrators. "This litigation uncovered the fact that the MPD had suspended use of force reporting requirements during demonstrations," stated Carl Messineo, attorney and co-founder of the Partnership for Civil Justice. "In other words, the police had been given a green light to assault protestors knowing that they would not have to report their actions or acknowledge that force had been used."

This shocking and unconscionable practice has now been brought to an end. The District of Columbia has now agreed that use of force reporting requirements will stay fully in force during mass demonstrations. Further the settlement agreement requires changes in police training to reflect this requirement. Additionally, the police training will now include restrictions and prohibitions on use of police lines against protestors and instruction to officers that parading without a permit is not an arrestable offense.

FULL story at link above.

More information on this lawsuit and other free speech cases can be found at www.JusticeOnline.org

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[ThomCat]

1. But will this truly get implemented?

Or will it get implemented only superficially?
x(

[derby378]

2. Not good enough...

In fact, nowhere near good enough. I want criminal charges brought.

[Ian David]

3. Oh, no! That really, really SUCKS!

I was looking forward to Unitary Executive Pelosi infiltrating and spying on Focus On The Family and Operation Rescue!


:sarcasm:

[AZCat]

5. Yeah - why do we give away...

all the cool powers before we get to use them? After all, Fascism is perfectly okay when you're the one in power!


Note: Sarcasm, although the idea of certain RW idiots getting "waterboarded" (it's a college prank, don'cha know?) has its appeal...

[bob4460]

4. I guess THIS was not on the evening news

We need these groups to stand up for the Little Man> we also need more people to stand up for their rights rather than let the police trample them