NYCLU To Hold Press Conference About NYPD’s Pre-RNC Surveillance Of Political Activity

The New York Civil Liberties Union will hold a press conference tomorrow to respond to revelations that the New York Police Department conducted an illegal, international campaign to monitor lawful protest planned for the 2004 Republican National Convention.

For the year leading up to the Convention, undercover NYPD officers illegally infiltrated groups across America and the world, amassing information on plans for peaceful protest and creating political dossiers on innocent individuals. Last month a federal judge barred the NYPD from investigating political activity unless there is some indication of unlawful activity on the part of the individual or organization to be investigated. The NYPD clearly acted outside the law in its pre-RNC surveillance efforts, demonstrating complete disregard for free speech and the right to political dissent.

For over three decades, the NYCLU has been counsel in Handschu v. Special Services Division, the federal litigation challenging NYPD political surveillance. At tomorrow’s press conference, NYCLU attorneys will be joined by Handschu co-counsel and by political activists who were spied upon by the NYPD in the year before the RNC.

Who: Donna Lieberman, Executive Director, NYCLU

Arthur Eisenberg, NYCLU Legal Director, Co-Counsel Handschu v. Special Services Division

Chris Dunn, NYCLU Associate Legal Director

Jethro M. Eisenstein, Co-Counsel Handschu v. Special Services Division

Jennifer Flynn, political activist, monitored by NYPD before RNC

What: Press Conference about Pre-RNC Surveillance by NYPD

Where: New York Civil Liberties Union
125 Board Street, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10004

When: Monday, March 26, 2007
3:00pm