As the Occupy Wall Street movement spreads, the New York Civil Liberties Union is working in towns and cities throughout New York State to protect the right to protest.

“The right to peaceful protest is a core constitutional principle,” said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman. “As the demonstrations spread across the state, the NYCLU is standing alongside the protestors to defend their right to speak their minds.”

In New York City, teams of NYCLU staff and volunteers are regularly visiting the movement’s headquarters at Zuccotti Park to distribute “Know Your Rights” information and engage protestors about their experiences with the NYPD. Volunteer legal observers are on hand monitoring police activity and recording any instances of police misconduct. The NYCLU is also engaging the protestors on Facebook and Twitter.

The NYCLU’s seven chapters and regional offices are prepared to provide similar assistance to growing protest movements throughout the state, including in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Westchester County and in Long Island.

The NYCLU has set up a special email address, protest@nyclu.org, for demonstrators to report incidents of police misconduct during protests or occasions when the police officers have been helpful. Efforts will be made to hold police accountable for any misconduct.