[A-List] US legitimation crisis: Eye on the Public

["Annewilliamson" <Annewilliamson@xxxxxxx>]

The Washington Times
www.washingtontimes.com

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Cameras to monitor protesters
Brian DeBose
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Published December 20, 2002


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     The Metropolitan Police Department will activate surveillance cameras
next month along city streets for the first time since city officials passed
new legislation.
     Department officials made the announcement yesterday on their Web site,
stating they would activate the network of 14 cameras and install more to
monitor the International Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, or ANSWER,
march from Jan. 17 to 19 and the D.C. March for Life on Jan. 22.
     ANSWER officials did not return calls.
     Organizations participating in the pro-life march, which has taken
place in the District for 30 years, said they were not aware of surveillance
plans until they were contacted by The Washington Times. Though they did not
oppose the heightened security, they questioned the necessity.
     "My first reaction is, what possible threat does this event pose that
would call for this type of surveillance?" said Dennis Di Mauro, president
of Lutherans for Life in Northern Virginia.
     The Rev. James I. Lamb, executive director for the group's national
chapter, also questioned why police would target the march. He said he has
seen no violence or problems in the six years he has been involved with the
event.
     "There isn't any history that would lead to a suspicion of violence or
trouble of any kind," he said. "But if they want to look at us, let the
cameras roll."
     Kevin Morison, D.C. police spokesman, said the department also will
activate additional temporary cameras for the demonstration at Farragut
Square, Dupont Circle, Malcolm X Park in Northwest and the Marine Barracks
in Southeast.
     He said the department has no history of problems with either group but
that event security has changed as terrorism has become more of a threat.
     "Our approach is we will activate the surveillance system during any
major event that will attract a large number of people to the District," Mr.
Morison said. "In this post-September 11 environment, we need to be
cognizant of the fact that terrorists could use these events as a target or
cover to attack other areas."
     Plans to install more cameras along the march routes on Independence
Avenue SW and three other streets in Southeast have not yet been approved.
The surveillance plan is based on the parade permit applications that were
filed with the department.
     Mr. Morison said the temporary cameras will be dismantled after the
events.
     He also said the surveillance cameras will not target individuals.
     At least one D.C. Council member, Jim Graham, said he was concerned
about the cameras.
     "I am opposed to this type of surveillance because I am deathly
concerned about the chilling impact on constitutionally protected
expressions of freedom of speech," said Mr. Graham, the Democratic
representative from Ward 1.
     He also said the camera surveillance will "most assuredly" discourage
nonviolent protests, marches and other events from taking place in the city.
     Council members passed regulations in November allowing the cameras in
public places on a limited basis, but the measure did not pass without some
indecision and rancor. The council initially opposed the legislation in a
7-6 vote, then voted 7-6 in favor of the measure.
     The regulations allow cameras to be used only for special events such
as scheduled rallies, protests and marches. And they can be used only in
public places where there is no expectation of privacy.
      Mr. Graham, who voted against the measure both times, said he opposed
the legislation specifically because of this type of surveillance, though he
supports using cameras in high-crime areas.
     "The cameras have a positive effect of dispersing entrenched criminal
activity, and they deter crime," he said.
     The Rev. Frank Pavone, founder and director of Priests for Life, one of
the organizations in the march, said he supports anything to improve
security as long as protesters maintain their freedom of speech.
     "This country is in a different place now," he said.

Copyright &##169; 2002 News World Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

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