GREENSBORO — The ACLU of North Carolina is asking for information on the Greensboro Police Department’s surveillance of political groups.
The request, submitted May 15, stemmed from a clash between police and protesters at a downtown rally against President Bush in January.
It was submitted on behalf of The World Can’t Wait NC, which organized the rally, and five protesters.
The ACLU is asking for all surveillance records on The World Can’t Wait NC and the protesters as well as police guidelines for surveillance.
The Greensboro Police Department did not return calls for comment about the request.
One of the protesters named in the request, Bruce Burch, 36, said the information should be public.
“People should know if, when they exercise their First Amendment Rights, their picture may be taken and their names put in a database for God knows what,” he said.
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Full piece here.
Roch Smith had the first story on this, over at Greensboro 101. That story, which is longer, more detailed and with more primary sources, is here.
Bruce Burch gives his take on the whole thing here.
