Groups To Monitor DC Vehicle Checkpoints

[Purveyor]

(06-07) 17:16 PDT WASHINGTON, (AP) --

Police in the nation's capital set up controversial vehicle checkpoints Saturday in a neighborhood reeling from gun violence, with civil liberties groups considering legal action and closely observing officers.

Police in neon yellow vests stopped motorists traveling through the main thoroughfare of Trinidad — a neighborhood near the National Arboretum in the city's northeast section. Police checked drivers' identification and turned away those who didn't have a "legitimate purpose" in the area, such as a church visit or doctor's appointment.

The checkpoints were announced after eight people were killed in the city last weekend. Most of the killings occurred in the police district that includes Trinidad. Already this year, the district has had 22 killings — one more than in all of last year.

The checkpoints have drawn harsh criticism from civil rights groups.

"Trinidad should not be treated like Baghdad," said Mark Thompson, the leader of the NAACP's local police task force.

Thompson was joined by about a dozen activists representing a myriad of groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, at the intersection where the checkpoints were scheduled to begin Saturday night. They warned of legal action if residents' Constitutional rights were violated.

MORE: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/06/05/national/a135655D63.DTL

[grasswire]

1. push back, people

Homeland Security is just itching to try out their techniques here at home.

This is a good night to join the ACLU or donate to the organization.

http://www.aclu.org

The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.