Collateral damage: “There Was a Report of Guns and Drugs”
In the case of Alberta Spruill, the cops were enforcing the law. An investigation into whether they followed correct procedures is warranted, but an examination into the laws they were enforcing is even more important. It’s time to reconsider both the war on drugs and the war on guns, for the sake of future innocent victims.
The saga continues. This came in the form of a .WPD [WordPerfect] attachment:
Dear Mr. Sherwood:
The United States Marshals Service received your e mail of May 12, 2003. This is in response to your question regarding identification requirements at United States Courthouses.
After the tragic events of September 11, 2001 , the United States Marshals Service stepped up efforts to combat terrorism. As you may know, United States Courthouses symbolize justice in America which terrorists may target to cause fear and the disruption of our judicial process. Keep in mind that United States Courthouses _ are _ occupied, in some cities, by thousands of employees. The United States Marshals Service is charged with the safety of these citizens and takes this responsibility seriously. During periods of heightened security, all persons entering our courthouses are asked to produce valid photo identification. The intent is not harassment or to make anyone _ feel _ like duly tagged cattle . Our intent is to make the United States Courthouse a safe place for everyone.
So , on behalf of all persons working or doing business in the courthouse, who appreciate a secure environment, your patience and consideration for _ others is _ appreciated.
Regards,
Sylvester Jones
Assistant Director
Judicial Security Division
(I changed all unprintable characters to spaces, in order to read it. Later: I’ve also made educated guesses about paragraphs.) I wrote back:
I have given far more patience and cooperation than is warranted by anything you’ve told me. It is partly out of consideration for others that I asked — and now ask again, since it may have slipped your mind — WHAT GOOD IT DOES.
You do not improve anyone’s security by doing pointless rituals and calling them “heightened security”; that’s voodoo. Spending public resources and private resources (a wasted trip) on voodoo reduces security for everyone.
Out of nineteen hijackers, how many showed valid (or apparently valid) photo identification? Nineteen. What good did it do to demand their papers? How does it protect the courthouse to look at my papers and do absolutely nothing with the information?
If it’s a secret, at least tell me that you’re not going to tell me.
Will keep you advised!
On the evening of May 20, Direct Action anti-authoritarian activists from the White Mountain Autonoma, AnarchoNinjas, and the Trained Monkee Collective came together to ‘tag’ every pay phone in Nashua, N[ew] H[ampshire], with a sticker that reads “This Phone is Bugged” in large letters, citing the relevant section (Section 215) of the Patriot Act 2001 authorizing this in smaller print.
What’s a Latin term for someone to whom habeas corpus does not apply? Anyway, MoorishGirl reports that an Intel engineer, naturalized 14 years ago, is among the ‘disappeared’.
Update:
Aug 6: Mike pled guilty today to one count of his three-count indictment. He admitted attempting to enter Afghanistan with members of the “Portland 6”. We hope that justice has been served, and our focus now shifts to support for Mike’s family in this difficult time.
2004 Oct 24: This item formerly linked to www.freeMikeHawash.org, which naturally is now dead.
A year ago I griped to you about hassle at the Federal Building. I also wrote to the home office of US Marshals, as well as to the three relevant legislators: ( . . more . . )
