lubna
19-08-2005, 13:48
THE PEACE AND JUSTICE FOUNDATION
11006 Veirs Mill Rd, STE L-15, PMB 298
Silver Spring, MD. 20902
13 Rajab 1426
(August 18, 2005)
Profiling in Britain, and its Deadly Consequences
A firestorm of controversy and outrage has erupted in “Great Britain,” and for good reason! New information has become public regarding the wrongful death of Jean Charles de Menezes, the 27 year old Brazilian electrician who was brutally murdered by British police officers on July 22.
The new information, leaked by unnamed official sources to Britain’s Independent Television Network (ITN), suggests that the initial report from British authorities was attended by what the late [British] Prime Minister Winston Churchill might term, “A bodyguard of lies.”
Contrary to initial reports, Jean Charles de Menezes:
- Was wearing “a light denim jacket,” not a heavy coat!
- Walked casually into the subway station and DID NOT JUMP OVER THE TURNSTILE!
- Stopped to pick up a newspaper before riding the escalator down, and then RAN TO CATCH HIS TRAIN before it pulled away from the Stockwell subway station!
Mr. de Menezes was shot several times in the head (at point blank range) simply because he LOOKED SUSPICIOUS. (A typical case of profiling gone terribly wrong.) The victim looked foreign (he was probably mistaken for South Asian or Arab), and reportedly emerged from “an apartment block” under surveillance by British authorities. According to new reports, a lone army surveillance officer radioed that it would be “worth taking a look” at de Menezes. That “look” cost an innocent young man his life!
For those of our readers who reside outside of the New York Tri-State area, what follows is a commentary that I wrote on the new wave of profiling taking hold in and around New York City, in the wake of last month’s attacks in London. I write a column (“The Justice Files”) that appears each week in New York City’s “Muslims Weekly” newspaper. This particular commentary was published in the August 12th edition of the paper.
El-Hajj Mauri’ Saalakhan
___________________
A Wake-up Call on
The Changing Face of America
On July 21st, New York City's transit system became the first in the nation to institute regular, random checks of passengers bags; on August 4th the New York Civil Liberties Union filed suit against the NYPD, calling the random searches unconstitutional, ineffective, and a “civil liberties surcharge on a Metrocard.” On the other side of the dividing line, Gail Donogue, special counsel in the city's legal department, called the NYCLU lawsuit “shortsighted,” while noting that the new program “preserves the important balance between protecting our city and preserving individual rights.”
New York subways move an estimated 4.7 million passengers (nearly half of the nation's mass transit riders); the searches are reportedly performed on a “rough mathematical formula of one out of five to ten people.” New Jersey riders boarding trains to New York recently became subjected to similar searches.
While city officials claim they have received no complaints thus far (beyond the NYCLU suit), that may soon change.
One of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, Joseph Gehring, the son of a retired police captain and a “lifelong Republican,” decried the lack of opposition from fellow New Yorkers. “We are becoming accustomed to having our liberties taken away,” he noted. Mr. Gehring is not alone. A number of others, more directly impacted by this new “program,” have begun to complain as well.
Among the Muslims who traveled from New York City for the August 1st mobilization for Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, was a young brother of South Asian descent. He confided in this writer how he had been stopped for one of New York's random searches, held for about 40 MINUTES, and questioned on his beliefs and associations; a clear and unquestionable violation of his constitutional rights!
Perhaps this is what New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind (Democrat) and New York City Council member James S. Oddo (Republican) had in mind with proposed legislation on the horizon. According to reports, Hikind plans to introduce a bill in the state legislature that will empower police officers to single out people based on national origin and ethnicity. “Police officers need to keep specific attention to young people – Middle Eastern, South Asian – based on a profile that is so obvious,” he argues. Mr. Oddo said he will introduce a non-binding resolution in support of Hikind's legislation.
What should be alarming for any sober-minded citizen, is the relative ease with which “lawmakers” in a “free society” can propose such openly repressive legislation in the name of homeland security.
As a Black man, born and raised in America, I am well acquainted with the evil and dangers of “profiling.” The case of Amadou Diallo is one of the more recent (and prominent) examples for Americans in need of a case study close to home. The even more recent case of the young South American national who was chased down and shot multiple times at point blank range by police in London, is but another example of “profiling” gone awry. These heartbreaking realities helped to shape my recent remarks at a predominantly (Arab) immigrant New York City masjid, upon my return from the south.
I advised the young brothers present to be careful when confronted by police in the New York transit system. If stopped and questioned in the manner that our South Asian brother was questioned, maintain your composure. Don't become so angry that you lose control of yourself and the situation. Calmly say to the officer(s): You've already checked my bags, officer; is this further questioning really necessary? Is it legal? Do I have to answer these questions?
If the officer(s) persist, get their names and badge numbers and file a complaint with the requisite authorities. Make sure that a Muslim advocacy organization is made aware of the civil liberties violation. BUT DO NOT LOSE CONTROL OF YOURSELF!
To Muslim leaders and organizations in New York City, again we implore you to jump on a critically important issue immediately. A representative delegation should meet with NYPD and Department of Homeland Security officials at the earliest possible convenience. Demand to know (in writing): (1) what established policy is concerning this issue; (2) what the implications are for any police officer who violates such policy; and (3) the most effective and expeditious way for reporting violations.
If an incident occurs that results in the serious injury or death of an innocent young Muslim, it will likely establish a precedent of deeply profound and long term consequence. We should make every effort to stop it before it happens. As the Prophet (saw) said: “Tie your camel, and have trust in Allah.”
We often hear it said, “Everything changed after the attacks of September 11th.” Indeed they have. But left unsaid is the fact that many of these changes have not been in America's “national interest.”
11006 Veirs Mill Rd, STE L-15, PMB 298
Silver Spring, MD. 20902
13 Rajab 1426
(August 18, 2005)
Profiling in Britain, and its Deadly Consequences
A firestorm of controversy and outrage has erupted in “Great Britain,” and for good reason! New information has become public regarding the wrongful death of Jean Charles de Menezes, the 27 year old Brazilian electrician who was brutally murdered by British police officers on July 22.
The new information, leaked by unnamed official sources to Britain’s Independent Television Network (ITN), suggests that the initial report from British authorities was attended by what the late [British] Prime Minister Winston Churchill might term, “A bodyguard of lies.”
Contrary to initial reports, Jean Charles de Menezes:
- Was wearing “a light denim jacket,” not a heavy coat!
- Walked casually into the subway station and DID NOT JUMP OVER THE TURNSTILE!
- Stopped to pick up a newspaper before riding the escalator down, and then RAN TO CATCH HIS TRAIN before it pulled away from the Stockwell subway station!
Mr. de Menezes was shot several times in the head (at point blank range) simply because he LOOKED SUSPICIOUS. (A typical case of profiling gone terribly wrong.) The victim looked foreign (he was probably mistaken for South Asian or Arab), and reportedly emerged from “an apartment block” under surveillance by British authorities. According to new reports, a lone army surveillance officer radioed that it would be “worth taking a look” at de Menezes. That “look” cost an innocent young man his life!
For those of our readers who reside outside of the New York Tri-State area, what follows is a commentary that I wrote on the new wave of profiling taking hold in and around New York City, in the wake of last month’s attacks in London. I write a column (“The Justice Files”) that appears each week in New York City’s “Muslims Weekly” newspaper. This particular commentary was published in the August 12th edition of the paper.
El-Hajj Mauri’ Saalakhan
___________________
A Wake-up Call on
The Changing Face of America
On July 21st, New York City's transit system became the first in the nation to institute regular, random checks of passengers bags; on August 4th the New York Civil Liberties Union filed suit against the NYPD, calling the random searches unconstitutional, ineffective, and a “civil liberties surcharge on a Metrocard.” On the other side of the dividing line, Gail Donogue, special counsel in the city's legal department, called the NYCLU lawsuit “shortsighted,” while noting that the new program “preserves the important balance between protecting our city and preserving individual rights.”
New York subways move an estimated 4.7 million passengers (nearly half of the nation's mass transit riders); the searches are reportedly performed on a “rough mathematical formula of one out of five to ten people.” New Jersey riders boarding trains to New York recently became subjected to similar searches.
While city officials claim they have received no complaints thus far (beyond the NYCLU suit), that may soon change.
One of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, Joseph Gehring, the son of a retired police captain and a “lifelong Republican,” decried the lack of opposition from fellow New Yorkers. “We are becoming accustomed to having our liberties taken away,” he noted. Mr. Gehring is not alone. A number of others, more directly impacted by this new “program,” have begun to complain as well.
Among the Muslims who traveled from New York City for the August 1st mobilization for Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, was a young brother of South Asian descent. He confided in this writer how he had been stopped for one of New York's random searches, held for about 40 MINUTES, and questioned on his beliefs and associations; a clear and unquestionable violation of his constitutional rights!
Perhaps this is what New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind (Democrat) and New York City Council member James S. Oddo (Republican) had in mind with proposed legislation on the horizon. According to reports, Hikind plans to introduce a bill in the state legislature that will empower police officers to single out people based on national origin and ethnicity. “Police officers need to keep specific attention to young people – Middle Eastern, South Asian – based on a profile that is so obvious,” he argues. Mr. Oddo said he will introduce a non-binding resolution in support of Hikind's legislation.
What should be alarming for any sober-minded citizen, is the relative ease with which “lawmakers” in a “free society” can propose such openly repressive legislation in the name of homeland security.
As a Black man, born and raised in America, I am well acquainted with the evil and dangers of “profiling.” The case of Amadou Diallo is one of the more recent (and prominent) examples for Americans in need of a case study close to home. The even more recent case of the young South American national who was chased down and shot multiple times at point blank range by police in London, is but another example of “profiling” gone awry. These heartbreaking realities helped to shape my recent remarks at a predominantly (Arab) immigrant New York City masjid, upon my return from the south.
I advised the young brothers present to be careful when confronted by police in the New York transit system. If stopped and questioned in the manner that our South Asian brother was questioned, maintain your composure. Don't become so angry that you lose control of yourself and the situation. Calmly say to the officer(s): You've already checked my bags, officer; is this further questioning really necessary? Is it legal? Do I have to answer these questions?
If the officer(s) persist, get their names and badge numbers and file a complaint with the requisite authorities. Make sure that a Muslim advocacy organization is made aware of the civil liberties violation. BUT DO NOT LOSE CONTROL OF YOURSELF!
To Muslim leaders and organizations in New York City, again we implore you to jump on a critically important issue immediately. A representative delegation should meet with NYPD and Department of Homeland Security officials at the earliest possible convenience. Demand to know (in writing): (1) what established policy is concerning this issue; (2) what the implications are for any police officer who violates such policy; and (3) the most effective and expeditious way for reporting violations.
If an incident occurs that results in the serious injury or death of an innocent young Muslim, it will likely establish a precedent of deeply profound and long term consequence. We should make every effort to stop it before it happens. As the Prophet (saw) said: “Tie your camel, and have trust in Allah.”
We often hear it said, “Everything changed after the attacks of September 11th.” Indeed they have. But left unsaid is the fact that many of these changes have not been in America's “national interest.”