ACLU Seeks Records About FBI Collection of Racial and Ethnic Data In Oregon

FBI's Claimed Authority to Track and Map "Behaviors" and "Lifestyle Characteristics" of American Communities Invites Racial Profiling

July 27, 2010 - The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon has asked the Portland FBI field office to turn over records related to the agency's collection and use of race and ethnicity data in local communities. According to an FBI operations guide, FBI agents have the authority to collect information about and create maps of so-called "ethnic-oriented" businesses, behaviors, lifestyle characteristics and cultural traditions in communities with concentrated ethnic populations. While some racial and ethnic data collection by some agencies might be helpful in lessening discrimination, the FBI's attempt to collect and map demographic data using race-based criteria for targeting purposes invites unconstitutional racial profiling by law enforcement.

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2009-2010 ACLU of Oregon Annual Report

Highlights of the 2009--2010 fiscal year.

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ACLU Files Lawsuit Challenging Unconstitutional “No Fly List”

List Blocks People From Flying Without Explanation or Due Process

June, 30, 2010, PORTLAND – The American Civil Liberties Union today filed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit on behalf of 10 U.S. citizens and lawful residents who are prohibited from flying to or from the United States or over U.S. airspace because they are on the government’s “No Fly List.” None of the individuals in the lawsuit, including a disabled U.S. Marine Corps veteran stranded in Egypt and a U.S. Army veteran stuck in Colombia, have been told why they are on the list or given a chance to clear their names. One of the clients in the ACLU’s case resides in Portland and the suit was filed in U.S. District Court here.

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As Holiday Weekend Approaches, ACLU of Oregon Issues Alert To State Residents Traveling To Arizona

Arizona Racial Profiling Law Threatens Civil Liberties

July 1, 2010 – In response to civil liberties threats caused by the recent passage of Arizona’s racial profiling law, the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon issued a travel alert today informing Oregon residents of their rights when stopped by law enforcement when traveling in Arizona. The unconstitutional law, known as SB 1070, requires law enforcement agents to demand "papers" from people they stop who they suspect are not authorized to be in the U.S. If individuals are unable to prove to officers that they are permitted to be in the U.S., they may be subject to warrantless arrest without any probable cause that they have committed a crime.

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What Happens in Arizona STOPS in Arizona

I could be illegal buttonJune 16, 2010 - The  ACLU of Oregon testified before Portland City Council in support of Council's resolution in support for the efforts to legally challenge the implementation of Arizona's recently adopted anti-immigration law, SB 1070.

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Racial Profiling - A Harsh Reality in Oregon

In a recent opinion piece for the Oregonian, guest columnist Thabiti Lewis offered his perspective, as an African-American male, on the harsh reality of racial profiling in Oregon for people of color, particularly African Americans. In addition to giving the reader a realistic view into a slice of African-American life, Professor Lewis also offered some practical advice for individuals who may be unfairly targeted by police.

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