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LGBT group launches Cop Watch program to improve interactions with police
City Limits WEEKLY Week of: June 27, 2005
FIERCE RESISTANCE
LGBT group launches Cop Watch program to improve interactions with police by Bennett Baumer
At a June 21 meeting at the LGBT Center between FIERCE (Fabulous Independent Educated Radicals for Community Empowerment), a queer youth of color activist group, and the Sixth Precinct of the New York Police Department, tensions simmered over accusations of racial, sexual orientation and gender profiling by the police. Weeks before the meeting, FIERCE had informally unveiled plans to launch a “Cop Watch” program this July.
According to Rickke Mananzala, FIERCE’s campaign coordinator, queer youth of color are often subject to illegal stops and searches, along with verbal and physical harassment. FIERCE conducted a recent survey of 40 young people in the West Village and found 52 percent “were given no reason” as to why they were stopped or arrested. Another 66 percent reported “police targeting and profiling” based on race, sexual orientation, gender identity and age.
Read the full article here.
Posted by RBMF on June 27, 2005 09:57 AM | Permalink
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