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.
Burch, who works at a Greensboro nonprofit and
hosts two liberal podcast radio shows, was at the rally where seven
protesters were arrested for charges ranging from assault on a public
official to carrying a concealed weapon.
“I think the size of the rally took them by surprise, and they felt like they had to react and get some surveillance,” he said.
Since then, Burch said he and members of World Can’t Wait NC are concerned some of their meetings are being watched by police.
Contact Joe Killian at 373-7023 or jkillian@news-record.com