Post by Logan on Jul 4, 2016 5:56:43 GMT -6
ACLU Criticizes Heavy-Handed Policing of Rainbow Family Gathering
The American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont is criticizing the U.S. Forest Service and law enforcement agencies for what it calls overzealous policing of the Rainbow Family of Living Light's gathering in the Green Mountain National Forest.
The ACLU says it has been inundated with complaints from Rainbow campers that police are running checkpoint-like stops, detaining people for minor infractions and subjecting them to drug searches without reasonable suspicion.
"We've also been told that people are pressured to consent to searches of their person, vehicle or belongings; that they are subjected to abusive and prolonged questioning by state, local and federal law enforcement; and that citations ... for petty federal offenses on public federal lands are being issued," the ACLU said in a statement.
The ACLU's comments come a day after Gov. Peter Shumlin called on law enforcement to ease up on the participants at the gathering in Mount Tabor. The gathering is expected to draw 10,000 to 20,000 people by the time it culminates on July 4.
Read more: www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2016/07/01/aclu-criticizes-heavy-handed-policing-of-rainbow-family-gathering
The American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont is criticizing the U.S. Forest Service and law enforcement agencies for what it calls overzealous policing of the Rainbow Family of Living Light's gathering in the Green Mountain National Forest.
The ACLU says it has been inundated with complaints from Rainbow campers that police are running checkpoint-like stops, detaining people for minor infractions and subjecting them to drug searches without reasonable suspicion.
"We've also been told that people are pressured to consent to searches of their person, vehicle or belongings; that they are subjected to abusive and prolonged questioning by state, local and federal law enforcement; and that citations ... for petty federal offenses on public federal lands are being issued," the ACLU said in a statement.
The ACLU's comments come a day after Gov. Peter Shumlin called on law enforcement to ease up on the participants at the gathering in Mount Tabor. The gathering is expected to draw 10,000 to 20,000 people by the time it culminates on July 4.
Read more: www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2016/07/01/aclu-criticizes-heavy-handed-policing-of-rainbow-family-gathering