ACLU sues over 'stop and frisk' searches in Philly

[cory777]

Source: Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA – A civil liberties group filed a federal lawsuit Thursday challenging the use of "stop and frisk" searches by Philadelphia police, alleging that the policy is violating the rights of blacks and Latinos who have done nothing wrong.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania filed the lawsuit on behalf of eight men — including a state lawmaker — it says were subjected to illegal searches since the city started using "stop and frisk," a controversial element of first-term Mayor Michael Nutter's 2007 mayoral campaign.

In the lawsuit, the ACLU cites city data showing that 253,333 pedestrians were stopped last year, compared with 102,319 in 2005. More than 70 percent of the people stopped last year were black and only 8.4 percent of the total stops led to an arrest, the ACLU said.

The lawsuit, which seeks class-action status, seeks unspecified damages and a court injunction. It also alleges that police Commissioner Charles Ramsey has failed to train and discipline officers.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101104/ap_on_re_us/us_stop_and_frisk

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Alternative Activist News http://activistnews.blogspot.com/

[Drale]

1. Ok I'm sorry to anyone here from Philly

but what is with people from Philadelphia being so crazy? I went to a Phillies game last year against the Cubs, and I got spit on and sworn at and a beer dumped on me, its ridiculous, and whats with the Flyers fans booing the Blackhawks (sorry I'm kind of disgruntled about sports lol)

[jberryhill]

2. "I got spit on and sworn at and a beer dumped on me"

It's a good thing. They must have liked you.

Hey, it's the City of Brotherly Love.

Not everybody gets along with their brother all that well.

But, seriously, you came to a Phillies game to root for some other team? Are you married and have kids? Is your insurance up to date?

[Oldtimeralso]

3. Just Remember.

Like they say in "The City of Brotherly Love", Cain and Able were brothers

[smiley]

4. philly is the most outrageous sports city ion the U.S.

I'm from PA and know a lot of people from Philly. The one thing they are not, is congenial when it comes to their sports. In fact they're downright ruthless sports fans.

[BumRushDaShow]

5. A sports fan(atic) thing

No need to tar and feather 1.5 million folks for a bunch of drunk idiots at a stadium or arena - most of whom are not even from the city (residents can barely afford the tickets to any of the pro sports here) - these unruly folks are from the 'burbs or Jersey. Ask one some day and be surprised...

I work in the heart of the historic tourist area and you'll find the polar opposite when it comes to tourists asking natives where the sites are and how to get around.

This stop and frisk nonsense is so illegal it ain't funny IMHO and it's time to primary the DLC mayor. We do have a new DA who is changing the whole system from within to try to get rid of all the crap and he has his job cut out for him (the previous DA, who had been in for over 20 years, had been the main one to implement this - before then, she was having it done under the table).

[bluecrush]

9. No spit ball

The wife of Texas pitcher Cliff Lee was spat upon when he pitched in New York during the ALCS. I wonder if he'll entertain offers to sign with the Yankees?

[kath]

6. Awww, what the heck - that pesky ol' Fourth Amendment is as obsolete as the Geneva Convention,

don'cha know?
Buncha whiners.

[msanthrope]

7. They don't do 'stop and frisk' in white neighborhoods, here.

They wouldn't dare do them in South Philly, or any other predominately white community here....

[Liberal_in_LA]

8. good lawsuit