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There's a big NY Times story about the NYPD's preparation before the 2004 Republican National Convention: The police started spying on protesters a year before the actual convention.
For at least a year before the 2004 Republican National Convention, teams of undercover New York City police officers traveled to cities across the country, Canada and Europe to conduct covert observations of people who planned to protest at the convention, according to police records and interviews.And not only did the NYPD identify possible rabble rousers, the police also "chronicled the views and plans of people who had no apparent intention of breaking the law" - from church groups to death penalty critics - even city officials!From Albuquerque to Montreal, San Francisco to Miami, undercover New York police officers attended meetings of political groups, posing as sympathizers or fellow activists, the records show.
That the NYPD was spying for such a long isn't surprising - heck, they probably started work as soon as NYC was chosen as the convention city. But it's always incredible to hear who they were targeting, like Josh Kinberg who developed the Bikes Against Bush (and was arrested during the convention when demonstrating it for MSNBC) and Billionaires for Bush. The NYCLU told the Times, "The police have no authority to spy on lawful political activity, and this wide-ranging N.Y.P.D. program was wrong and illegal," and expects people to be shocked with the extent of the NYPD's covert surveillance when more information is disclosed.
Check out the NYCLU's report on the "Rights and Wrong at the RNC" (PDF) and how the NYPD videotapes you. And last month, a judge found that the police's videotaping procedures violated the Handschu vs. Special Services Division decision.
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I seriously hope some heads will roll because of this, but I also doubt it will happen.
How did they hide their Long Island Cop accent?
unless, they were the new transplant cops from the midwest who became cops due to the economy.
but even with those cops, eventually they'll get that cop accent. only a matter of time.
Did they bring along their Jets jerseys?
Cops doing undercover work? Big F'n Deal!
Why is this an issue???
Michael Hunt: do you read things before you post?
Well for the Good of NYC ,some snot nose rich kids couldn't have there fun. The people of NYC don't want this in there town, go back to seatle or miami
Right, John. The people of NYC didn't want the RNC here either. They should go to Seattle or Miami, too. And maybe you can join them.
Maybe its an issue because they were spying on folk who were engaged in legal activity.
Michael R. Bloomberg gave the green light for all of this, don't forget.
This is a huge fucking deal. Dissent is not illegal. Our society has to tolerate dissent. The NYPD way over-stepped.
Meanwhile, cops are complaining because Uncivil Servant was positing the license plates of illegally parked cars owned by cops. Everyone should make it a practice to photograph cops. When they object we can say, Well, we know most of you law-abiding, but some of you are not.
OK - I'll be the one to say it. That cop totally looks like Lt. Dangle from Reno 911, 30 years later.
It's just like the offenders of basic civil say , "If your not committing a crime then you should have a problem with it "! To a citizen that should mean, "If your a cop that just happens to be doing their job day in day out. Then you shouldn't have a problem with me taking your picture, As well as taking a picture of your car parked illegally on the sidewalk . You shouldn't have a problem with me taking pictures and being an eyewitness to you committing a crime . Such as violating another citizen's rights to due process by illegally searching their personal affects without a warrant, Or rightful probable cause ! The question is, How many police officers actually meet those qualifications?
Jen:
Bad news. I've been a loyal reader for a while now, and one thing has become clear:
9/10 of the people who submit comments to Gothamist are morons.
I'm not naming any names, as I wouldn't want to offend, but if you find yourself including legal terms in your posts, and you don’t know what they mean, DON"T DO IT!
Additionally, if your post is premised on the idea that everything is black and white, and there are no shades of grey, then you are one of the 9/10ths.
Best of luck to all. Enjoy your first amendment rights!
Stuy Guy
Stuy Guy,
Okay. Everything isn't black and white but you will at least admit it's fair to ask questions about this police program?
Stuy Guy = well within his 9/10ths population.
Maybe first amendment rights are actually worth examining and protecting? This was a clearly a complicated set of problems for the police department but thanks to things like the patriot act, they effectly equated any unofficial protest with terrorism. Ridiculous. 1984, much? They just rounded people (like the War Resisters) up.
THIS IS GREAT!! - Why shouldn't the NYPD gather information on disruptive anarchist groups?! America is a land governed by the rule of law- OTHERWISE- we'd be living in Baghdad, where anarchy has replaced the rule of law. THE NYPD protect New Yorkers- be they Dems or Repub!! Nice!
"THIS IS GREAT!! - Why shouldn't the NYPD gather information on disruptive anarchist groups?!"
Yeah Like "Critical Mass"!!
No, Wait a sec...
Why are they spying on anyone without apparent oversight?
Everything the cops do should be photographed. Their abuses of authority have steadily escalated since Giuliani and Kerik. Remember how Bloomberg in his first term slid into office as the new Giuliani? On this issue he, along with Kelly, is making Roody looks like a neanderthal.