Edited/Distributed by HURINet - The Human Rights Information Network --------------------------------------------------------------------- ## author : clift@PUBLICUS.NET ## date : 11.06.99 --------------------------------------------------------------------- ACLU Launches Special Web Collection On Racial Profiling and Driving While Black http://www.aclu.org/profiling/index.html?f10 In the same week that President Clinton called racial profiling "morally indefensible," the American Civil Liberties Union today launched a special website to Arrest the Racism by ending discriminatory traffic stops on our nation's highways. The new website features several interactive elements to focus public attention on the practice of racial profiling. They include: - A complaint form to allow minority drivers to report the details of improper traffic stops by the police to the ACLU. - Real audio of the ACLU Public Service Announcement that is being played by radio stations across the country. - A downloadable wallet-size card that provides advice to anyone stopped by the police. The "bustcard" is available in PDF format for easy downloading and printing. - Faxable letters to Congress in support of federal legislation to help end racial profiling. - Details of the ACLUÆs recommendations to Clinton and Attorney General Janet Reno focusing on racial profiling practices, funding and police training. - Ability to join the ACLU online to help Arrest the Racism! The web collection marks the latest of the ACLU's recent efforts to end the "crime" commonly known to African Americans as "Driving While Black" or, for other people of color, "Driving While Brown." Just last week, the ACLU issued a new report on the problem -- Driving While Black: Racial Profiling On Our Nation's Highways -- that cited statistics gathered by the ACLU in the course of legal challenges in several states, and media stories from around the nation in making the case that skin color is being used as a substitute for evidence and a ground for suspicion. The new ACLU report can also be found on the special web site. "This is not about rogue police officers, it's about a rogue policy," says Ira Glasser, Executive Director of the ACLU. "And we say to our leaders in law enforcement: don't mend it, end it." A leading advocate for ending racism and protecting due process under the law, the ACLU is a nationwide, non-partisan organization dedicated to defending and preserving the Bill of Rights for all individuals through litigation, legislation and public education. Headquartered in New York City, the ACLU has 53 staffed affiliates in major cities, more than 300 chapters nationwide, and a legislative office in Washington. The bulk of its $35 million annual budget is raised by contributions from members -- 275,000 strong -- and gifts and grants from other individuals and foundations. The ACLU does not accept government funds. Contact: Jennifer Helburn 202-675-2312 ---------------------------------- Send mail for the 'huridocs-tech' list to 'huridocs-tech@hrea.org'. Mail administrative requests to 'majordomo@hrea.org'. For additional assistance, send mail to: 'owner-huridocs-tech@hrea.org'. Archives of previous messages posted to the list can be found at: http://www.human-rights.net/huridocs-tech.
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