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Police Officers Sue Over Police Surveillance of Their Protests (PBA Making a federal case)
NY Times ^
| February 3, 2006
| JIM DWYER
Posted on 02/02/2006 7:35:27 PM PST by neverdem
The demonstrators arrived angry, departed furious. The police had herded them into pens. Stopped them from handing out fliers. Threatened them with arrest for standing on public sidewalks. Made notes on which politicians they cheered and which ones they razzed.
Meanwhile, officers from a special unit videotaped their faces, evoking for one demonstrator the unblinking eye of George Orwell's "1984."
"That's Big Brother watching you," the demonstrator, Walter Liddy, said in a deposition.
Mr. Liddy's complaint about police tactics, while hardly novel from a big-city protester, stands out because of his job: He is a New York City police officer. The rallies he attended were organized in the summer of 2004 by his union, the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, to protest the pace of contract talks with the city.
Now the officers, through their union, are suing the city, charging that the police procedures at their demonstrations many of them routinely used at war protests, antipoverty marches and mass bike rides were so heavy-handed and intimidating that their First Amendment rights were violated.
A lawyer for the city said the police union members were treated no differently than hundreds of thousands of people at other gatherings, with public safety and free speech both protected. The department observes all constitutional requirements, the city maintains.
The lawsuit by the police union brings a distinctive voice to the charged debate over how the city has monitored political protest since Sept. 11.
--snip--
The dozen people who submitted affidavits said the interrogations went far beyond basics. Among the questions, they said, was whether the country would be better off if Al Gore had been elected, whether they hated President Bush, whether they belonged to other antiwar groups, what schools they attended, and whether they were politically active. The police denied asking those questions.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: District of Columbia; US: New York; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: billofrights; constitutionlist; demonstrations; donutwatch; firstamendment; govwatch; iab; iwantmydelegate; libertarians; nypd; police; ratsquad
Patrolmen's Benevolent Association
Police officers photographed and videotaped off-duty officers who were demonstrating in August 2004 outside Gracie Mansion.
1
posted on
02/02/2006 7:35:29 PM PST
by
neverdem
To: neverdem
The dozen people who submitted affidavits said the interrogations went far beyond basics. Among the questions, they said, was whether the country would be better off if Al Gore had been elected, whether they hated President Bush, whether they belonged to other antiwar groups, what schools they attended, and whether they were politically active. The police denied asking those questions.Sometimes I think that people want to get sued.
To: Zeroisanumber
Cops can ask the questions. The people they ask don't have to answer.
3
posted on
02/02/2006 7:45:11 PM PST
by
coconutt2000
(NO MORE PEACE FOR OIL!!! DOWN WITH TYRANTS, TERRORISTS, AND TIMIDCRATS!!!! (3-T's For World Peace))
To: neverdem
Now the officers, through their union, are suing the city, charging that the police procedures at their demonstrations many of them routinely used at war protests, antipoverty marches and mass bike rides were so heavy-handed and intimidating that their First Amendment rights were violated. These "Off-duty" police officers need to remember this when they interdict war protests, antipoverty marches, and mass bike rides. These off-duty LEO's are no different than any other group of citizens using their First Amendment rights. They should also remember who their "friends" are.
Big Brother is watching you
4
posted on
02/02/2006 7:56:13 PM PST
by
Sarajevo
To: neverdem
Big Brother is watching Big Brother. Imagine that! I wonder if the officers who are suing will remember this before they spy on people! It doesn't feel good to think people are spying on you.
5
posted on
02/02/2006 8:03:17 PM PST
by
NRA2BFree
(All I ask is a chance to prove that money can*t make me happy.)
To: neverdem
Hell, I'm at a loss to figure out just who to root for in this case. :)
6
posted on
02/02/2006 8:13:41 PM PST
by
SandfleaCSC
(Tagline has been appropriated by county council for a much more profitable one)
To: freepatriot32
7
posted on
02/02/2006 8:16:57 PM PST
by
SandfleaCSC
(Tagline has been appropriated by county council for a much more profitable one)
To: SandfleaCSC
Hell, I'm at a loss to figure out just who to root for in this case. :) Union thugs are union thugs -- whether or not they wear uniforms...
8
posted on
02/02/2006 9:03:03 PM PST
by
TXnMA
(TROP: Satan's most successful earthly venture...)
To: NRA2BFree
This isn't spying. The protesters are out in the open in plain view. One doesn't need a warrent to photograph people walking down the street.
This is a public display - by definition it can't be spying.
9
posted on
02/02/2006 9:39:18 PM PST
by
BillSharp
To: neverdem
Summer of 2004? Isn't there a statute of limitations for this type of suit?
10
posted on
02/02/2006 9:40:51 PM PST
by
bigsigh
To: bigsigh
Isn't there a statute of limitations for this type of suit?There probably is, but if it had expired, then what kind of schmucks does NYC have for lawyers?
11
posted on
02/02/2006 10:33:16 PM PST
by
neverdem
(May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows that you're dead.)
To: albertp; Allosaurs_r_us; Abram; AlexandriaDuke; Americanwolf; Annie03; Baby Bear; bassmaner; ...
Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here
12
posted on
02/03/2006 1:15:14 AM PST
by
freepatriot32
(Holding you head high & voting Libertarian is better then holding your nose and voting republican)
To: SandfleaCSC
Hell, I'm at a loss to figure out just who to root for in this case. :)The phrase "A pox on both your houses" was invented for such situations.
13
posted on
02/03/2006 9:41:43 AM PST
by
JoeFromSidney
(My book is out. Read excerpts at www.thejusticecooperative.com)
To: neverdem
schmuck is an understatement for a NYC lawyer!
14
posted on
02/03/2006 6:04:28 PM PST
by
BigTom85
(Proud Gun Owner and Member of NRA)
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