Group Claims NYPD Violated Protest Rights
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Parents, students and teachers say the New York City Police Department violated their civil rights during a protest last week.
They released a video Sunday showing several officers taking pictures of them as they protested plans to close city schools outside Mayor Bloomberg's home on Tuesday.
In 1985, a federal court ruled it is illegal and a violation of civil rights for the NYPD to take photos of protesters, unless they have cause to believe a crime may be committed.
"It was a very peaceful demonstration, and I'm outraged that I'm being photographed. There was no mention of any photography going to take place at that meeting and I resent the fact that I have to come home after living up to my fulfillment, fighting for my rights to protest on that block and having my picture taking without my permission," said protest participant Lydia Bellahcene.
"We want an explanation as to, one, why these officers were taking pictures of the demonstration, and two, what is the NYPD planning to do with those pictures? We need to be assured that no one, no one's civil rights have been, or will be violated," said civil rights attorney Norman Siegel.
A police spokesperson says the pictures did not focus on individuals and were taken for crowd control planning which is permitted under the 1985 law.