Justice

FYI all:
ACLU Calls For Investigation Into Raids And Mass Arrests At RNC

Police Misconduct A Threat To Free Speech

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2008

CONTACT: Rachel Myers, (212) 549-2689 or 2666; media@aclu.org

MINNEAPOLIS - Amid charges of police misconduct during the Republican
National Convention in Minnesota, the American Civil Liberties Union called
for accountability for any unconstitutional actions there.

The following can be attributed to Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of
the ACLU:

"Conducting mass arrests and raiding meeting places of innocent Americans
exercising their constitutional right to express political dissent are
antithetical to the fundamental values of our democracy. Free speech has to
be safeguarded during the Republican National Convention, as the workings of
our democracy in the streets are as important as those in convention halls.
Allegations of police misconduct must be investigated thoroughly and free
speech must be safeguarded for the remainder of the convention."

Teams of civil and criminal defense attorneys recruited and coordinated by
the ACLU of Minnesota filed five lawsuits seeking to protect free speech and
due process in the lead-up to the convention. Attorneys assembled by the
ACLU are currently in the jails offering limited representation to hundreds
of people who were swept up in mass arrests in the Twin Cities.