Aug 30, 2008 7:15 pm US/Central
Group Plans To Deter, Document Police Abuse At RNC
(WCCO)
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Volunteer legal observers will be using photos, voice recorders and pen and paper to document what police are doing.
CBS
The National Lawyers Guild has been training more citizens to be watchful eyes during next week's protests at the Republican National Convention. It's a full weekend of preparations for protests and the possible flood of the court system.
Trainers with the National Lawyers Guild are paying for volunteers planning to watch police activity during mass protests. They held Saturday's training event at the William Mitchell College of Law auditorium.
"We're looking for police engaging in increasing levels of force where it's uncalled for," said Gena Berglund with the National Lawyers Guild
One hundred to 200 volunteers are expected to act as legal observers during the RNC. They'll be wearing fluorescent green caps and using photos, voice recorders and pen and paper to document what police are doing. They hope to act as a deterrent to any possible unconstitutional activity.
"Every protest I've been to, they've served a very good purpose for making sure people actually follow the rules, making sure there's no abuses on either side," said volunteer Alex Bajwa.
Trainers also tell volunteers they have no special rights and could be arrested. St. Paul police said they've been doing their part to deter violence as well. They've been holding meetings with protesters to discuss ways demonstrators may express their rights peacefully.
Both Hennepin and Ramsey County Courts are preparing for the possibility of mass arrests. For the first time, both judges and administrators will be on-call for Sunday bail hearings and they'll have proceedings on Labor Day. Judges and others are volunteering their time so court proceedings can take place 24/7 during the RNC.
"I think the intent of that is on the less serious crimes, if we can process them quickly there will be space to accommodate the next one coming down the pipe," said Chief Justice James Swenson of the 4th District Court.
In Hennepin County, people with bail set for less than $500 will not have to pay to get out of jail during the RNC. However, there may be other conditions set for their release. Ramsey County will not be waiving bail.
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