Those that came to Denver to protest didn't make many headlines because while they were passionate in their beliefs and their cause, they were not violent by any means. The standard they held themselves to did not however, pertain to the Denver Police Department, who acted more like thugs than officers of the law. Now the ACLU is getting ready to file suit for their alleged illegal and immoral treatment of protesters that were detained.
From RawStory:
The ACLU issued a stinging rebuke to the Denver Police Department Wednesday, alleging that the department may have violated laws and constitutional rights of protesters arrested outside the Democratic National Convention.
In the letter, obtained by RAW STORY, the ACLU revealed that the police refused those arrested access to attorneys. Police did not let detainees use phones unless they posted their own bonds, and even failed to provide shoes, in one case marching a protester into court in bare feet and leg shackles, according the ACLU.
What's more, police are said to have tricked protesters into pleading guilty, by giving them the impression they had to plead guilty in order to post bond. This meant that no one was allowed to make a phone call unless they plead guilty, thus making it impossible for arrestees to even call a lawyer until admitting guilt.
That my friends, is the Denver Police Department for you. Of course the hospitality that they show isn't limited to the Mile High City. Police abuse is a pervasive problem in our country.
|