|
|
|
|
|
Dear ACLU of Georgia Supporter:
As Holiday Weekend Approaches, ACLU of Georgia Issues Alert To State Residents Traveling To Arizona July 1, 2010 |
|
Arizona Racial Profiling Law Threatens Civil Liberties
Atlanta - In response to civil liberties threats caused by the recent passage of Arizona's racial profiling law, the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia issued a travel alert today informing Georgiaresidents of their rights when stopped by law enforcement when traveling in Arizona. The unconstitutional law, known as SB 1070, requires law enforcement agents to demand "papers" from people they stop who they suspect are not authorized to be in the U.S. If individuals are unable to prove to officers that they are permitted to be in the U.S., they may be subject to warrantless arrest without any probable cause that they have committed a crime.
Although the law is not scheduled to go into effect until July 29, the ACLU of Georgiaisconcerned thatsome law enforcement officers are already beginning to act on provisions of the law. Moreover, there has been a history of rampant racial profiling by law enforcement in Arizona, especially in Maricopa County, as well as a stated anti-immigrant policy of "attrition through enforcement" by Arizona lawmakers meant to create a hostile enough environment for Latinos and other people of color that they voluntarily leave the state.
"It is imperative that Georgia residents understand their rights before traveling in Arizona," saidDebbie Seagraves, Executive Director of the ACLU of Georgia."Residents of Georgia should be aware that under this law, people who look 'foreign' are more likely to be stopped for minor infractions like having a broken taillight or jaywalking and then asked for their 'papers' if police believe, just by looking at them, that they could be in the country unlawfully."
In addition to the travel alert, the ACLU has made available in English and Spanish materials on individuals' rights if stopped by law enforcement in Arizona or other states as a result of SB 1070 or for any other reason. The materials include a downloadable card with instructions - applicable in any state - on coping with vehicle stops and questioning by police, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents or the FBI, as well as a Frequently Asked Questions document about SB 1070.
"Our goal is to protect Georgia residents from illegal harassment from law enforcement and to make sure they know their rights should they encounter it," said Azadeh Shahshahani, the ACLU of Georgia National Security/Immigrants' Rights Project Director. "A high proportion of our residents fit the racial profile that police will inevitably use to enforce the law. Unfortunately, it is very possible that Georgiaresidents will experience racial profiling and unlawful detentions in Arizona as a result of this extreme and discriminatory measure."
The ACLU and other leading civil rights organizations filed a lawsuit challenging the Arizona law in May, but until the law is struck down, the ACLU warns that individuals traveling in Arizona must be aware of their rights if stopped there.
The travel alert is available at the ACLU of Georgia's website.
Materials informing individuals of their rights when stopped by law enforcement optimized for mobile devices is available at: mobile.aclu.org
More information about the ACLU of Georgia's work on racial profiling, including the reports on racial profiling in Cobb and Gwinnett as a result of 287(g), can be found at: www.acluga.org
###
The ACLU of Georgia's mission is to advance the cause of civil liberties in Georgia, with emphasis on rights of free speech, free assembly, freedom of religion, due process of law and to take all legitimate action in the furtherance of such purposes without political partisanship.
The ACLU of Georgia National Security/Immigrants' Rights project is aimed at bringing Georgia and its localities into compliance with international human rights and constitutional standards in treatment of refugee and immigrant communities, including immigrant detainees.
|
|
Mission
The purpose of this Association shall be to advance the cause of civil liberties in Georgia,
with emphasis on the rights of free speech, free press, free assembly, freedom of religion,
due process of law and to take all legitimate action in the furtherance of such purposes without political partisanship. |
|
You are receiving this message because you have informed the ACLU of Georgia that you wish to receive information, updates or newsletters from our organization. If this is an error, please unsubscribe below. |
|
|
ACLU of Georgia
1900 The Exchange, Suite 425
Atlanta, GA 30339
770.303.8111
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
