The NYCLU is trying to stop the NYPD from videotaping political protests, saying that the surveillance would prevent people from demonstrating anonymously. On September 10, 2004, after the Republican National Convention, the police adopted Police Interim Order 47 which allowed them to tape political activity in order to fight terrorism; Handschu v. Special Services Division is the 1971 decision that established "consent decree" when the Black Panthers sued the police for surveiling their political activity. Of course, it was during the RNC where protestors noticed the police videotaping them, probably as they were being handcuffed and sent to the grungy holding cell. How much do you want to bet the police will use blogs and other independent media for photographic evidence?
Many RNC protestors were helped by video footage that showed they were innocent of various police charges. And the NYCLU released a report about problems during the RNC. Related: The Village Voice reports that closing arguments are scheduled for Friday in the NYCLU's case against the NYPD for subway bag searches. Gothamist wonders how many NYCLU lawsuits are pending against the police.
