The government plans to begin collecting DNA samples from anyone arrested by a federal law enforcement agency — a move intended to prevent violent crime but which also is raising concerns about the privacy of innocent people.
Using authority granted by Congress, the government also plans to collect DNA samples from foreigners who are detained, whether they have been charged or not. The DNA would be collected through a cheek swab, Justice Department spokesman Erik Ablin said Wednesday. That would be a departure from current practice, which limits DNA collection to convicted felons.
Expanding the DNA database, known as CODIS, raises civil liberties questions about the potential for misuse of such personal information, such as family ties and genetic conditions.
Ablin said the DNA collection would be subject to the same privacy laws applied to current DNA sampling. That means none of it would be used for identifying genetic traits, diseases or disorders.
Congress gave the Justice Department the authority to expand DNA collection in two different laws passed in 2005 and 2006.
Source and full story
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Miami: Liberty City 7 retrial ends in second mistrial
A judge has declared a mistrial in the retrial of six men accused of plotting terrorist acts with al Qaeda.
The decision comes after 13 days of deliberation and marks the second time government prosecutors have failed to convince a jury that the six defendants were guilty of terror-related charges.
It is unclear whether the government will pursue a third trial against the defendants.
The first trial ended in a mistrial last December after nine days of deliberations left a jury hopelessly deadlocked on the six defendants. A seventh was acquitted.
The defendants are known as the "Liberty City 7" because authorities say the men operated out of a warehouse in Miami's Liberty City housing project.
Source and full story
The decision comes after 13 days of deliberation and marks the second time government prosecutors have failed to convince a jury that the six defendants were guilty of terror-related charges.
It is unclear whether the government will pursue a third trial against the defendants.
The first trial ended in a mistrial last December after nine days of deliberations left a jury hopelessly deadlocked on the six defendants. A seventh was acquitted.
The defendants are known as the "Liberty City 7" because authorities say the men operated out of a warehouse in Miami's Liberty City housing project.
Source and full story
Puerto Rico: FBI goes to homes of independentistas
FBI agents went today to the homes of several independentistas seeking information related to investigations under way.
Harry Rodríguez, spokesperson for the FBI in San Juan, confirmed that "this morning the FBI was conducting some interviews in different cities in Puerto Rico."
"It wasn't an operation as the media is reporting. Some of our most utilized and productive investigative techniques are interviews of people who may have information about investigations which are under way," he added in an interview with Associated Press.
The independentista organization The New School, which develops political work in public housing and poor communities across the Island, denounced the FBI's going to the home of two of its members on Thursday morning.
"This is another act in the new repressive modality of the United States government against those who struggle for the independence of Puerto Rico. Their actions are intended to provoke incidents to create a pretext to execute them," warned the organization, in reference to the FBI's shooting death of Machetero leader Filiberto Ojeda Ríos in 2005.
The New School identified those intervened as Miguel Viqueira and Tania Delgado Soto. "When Miguel was preparing to leave for work, several agents, armed and with bullet proof vests bearing the FBI initials, surrounded him and with a hostile and provocative attitude began to threaten him," said a press release.
"Although Miguel told them he had nothing to say to them and tried to close the door of his car to leave, they did not allow him to do so and continued insulting and threatening him. After a while they left without showing any judicial order for the intervention," the New School reported.
As for Delgado Soto, who is an employee of Cooperative Development, two men and a woman from the FBI in a white van stopped her.
"When she refused to accede to their demand that she cooperate, and when she insisted on calling her lawyers, they left," the organization added.
Héctor Pesquera, co-chair of the National Hostos Independence Movement (MINH), confirmed both interventions.
From his perspective, the FBI "is harassing the independence movement in its zeal to keep sending the message that they rule, and that this is a colony."
Edgardo Delgado Bras, Tania's father, said his 29 year old daughter called him to tell him what happened.
"This is a pattern; it's not isolated, to intimidate those of us who believe in independence," said Delgado Bras, also an attorney.
The FBI spokesperson specified that they intervened with people in Yauco, Peñuelas, Bayamón, Guaynabo and San Juan. No one was arrested.
Rodríguez refused to comment on whether the interviews are related to the alleged evidence found in the home of Ojeda Ríos, who the FBI killed during an operation to arrest him in September of 2005.
He also declined to identify those interviewed or to confirm the names Associated Press knew about.
From the perspective of The New School, Thursday's interventions are "FBI provocations."
"The watchword is: don't allow yourself to be intimidated, don't answer questions, keep silent, call a lawyer as soon as you can, and don't be provoked. Every act of persecution by repressive agencies of the United States should be immediately denounced," added the organization.
Ojeda Ríos, one of the alleged architects of the robbery of 7.1 million dollars of a Wells Fargo depot in Hartford, Connecticut in 1983 was a fugitive for 15 years before the FBI killed him during an operation to arrest him at his home in Hormigueros.
Source and full story (in Spanish)
Harry Rodríguez, spokesperson for the FBI in San Juan, confirmed that "this morning the FBI was conducting some interviews in different cities in Puerto Rico."
"It wasn't an operation as the media is reporting. Some of our most utilized and productive investigative techniques are interviews of people who may have information about investigations which are under way," he added in an interview with Associated Press.
The independentista organization The New School, which develops political work in public housing and poor communities across the Island, denounced the FBI's going to the home of two of its members on Thursday morning.
"This is another act in the new repressive modality of the United States government against those who struggle for the independence of Puerto Rico. Their actions are intended to provoke incidents to create a pretext to execute them," warned the organization, in reference to the FBI's shooting death of Machetero leader Filiberto Ojeda Ríos in 2005.
The New School identified those intervened as Miguel Viqueira and Tania Delgado Soto. "When Miguel was preparing to leave for work, several agents, armed and with bullet proof vests bearing the FBI initials, surrounded him and with a hostile and provocative attitude began to threaten him," said a press release.
"Although Miguel told them he had nothing to say to them and tried to close the door of his car to leave, they did not allow him to do so and continued insulting and threatening him. After a while they left without showing any judicial order for the intervention," the New School reported.
As for Delgado Soto, who is an employee of Cooperative Development, two men and a woman from the FBI in a white van stopped her.
"When she refused to accede to their demand that she cooperate, and when she insisted on calling her lawyers, they left," the organization added.
Héctor Pesquera, co-chair of the National Hostos Independence Movement (MINH), confirmed both interventions.
From his perspective, the FBI "is harassing the independence movement in its zeal to keep sending the message that they rule, and that this is a colony."
Edgardo Delgado Bras, Tania's father, said his 29 year old daughter called him to tell him what happened.
"This is a pattern; it's not isolated, to intimidate those of us who believe in independence," said Delgado Bras, also an attorney.
The FBI spokesperson specified that they intervened with people in Yauco, Peñuelas, Bayamón, Guaynabo and San Juan. No one was arrested.
Rodríguez refused to comment on whether the interviews are related to the alleged evidence found in the home of Ojeda Ríos, who the FBI killed during an operation to arrest him in September of 2005.
He also declined to identify those interviewed or to confirm the names Associated Press knew about.
From the perspective of The New School, Thursday's interventions are "FBI provocations."
"The watchword is: don't allow yourself to be intimidated, don't answer questions, keep silent, call a lawyer as soon as you can, and don't be provoked. Every act of persecution by repressive agencies of the United States should be immediately denounced," added the organization.
Ojeda Ríos, one of the alleged architects of the robbery of 7.1 million dollars of a Wells Fargo depot in Hartford, Connecticut in 1983 was a fugitive for 15 years before the FBI killed him during an operation to arrest him at his home in Hormigueros.
Source and full story (in Spanish)
Eric McDavid Update: New Address and Sentencing
Dear friends,
Sentencing has been re-scheduled for May 1st. When re-scheduling the date, Eric's lawyer attempted to set it for April 24, but was unable to do so because Judge England will be getting married next week. In lieu of wedding gifts, we're asking that folks make a small donation to Eric's commissary fund to help his transition to federal prison. When he moves to a federal facility, his commissary account will move with him. If he has money in his account when he arrives, he will be able to purchase the necessities - including money for phone calls to loved ones, vegan food, and writing material. If you would like to make a donation, you can send a check or money order to "Sacramento Defense Fund" at:
SPS
PO Box 163126
Sacramento, CA 95816
Please make sure you make it out to "Sacramento Defense Fund." Otherwise we will be unable to deposit it. Be sure to make a note that the funds are intended for Eric's commissary account.
We'll keep you updated about sentencing as things change.
Yesterday Eric was moved to a different floor. His new address is:
McDavid, Eric x-2972521 7E128
Sacramento County Main Jail
651 "I" St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
If you have recently sent Eric a letter or a book, please don't be surprised if it gets sent back. Just put the new address on it and resend! Please keep Eric in your thoughts and continue sending him your love and support.
Yours,
SPS
Source and full story
Sentencing has been re-scheduled for May 1st. When re-scheduling the date, Eric's lawyer attempted to set it for April 24, but was unable to do so because Judge England will be getting married next week. In lieu of wedding gifts, we're asking that folks make a small donation to Eric's commissary fund to help his transition to federal prison. When he moves to a federal facility, his commissary account will move with him. If he has money in his account when he arrives, he will be able to purchase the necessities - including money for phone calls to loved ones, vegan food, and writing material. If you would like to make a donation, you can send a check or money order to "Sacramento Defense Fund" at:
SPS
PO Box 163126
Sacramento, CA 95816
Please make sure you make it out to "Sacramento Defense Fund." Otherwise we will be unable to deposit it. Be sure to make a note that the funds are intended for Eric's commissary account.
We'll keep you updated about sentencing as things change.
Yesterday Eric was moved to a different floor. His new address is:
McDavid, Eric x-2972521 7E128
Sacramento County Main Jail
651 "I" St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
If you have recently sent Eric a letter or a book, please don't be surprised if it gets sent back. Just put the new address on it and resend! Please keep Eric in your thoughts and continue sending him your love and support.
Yours,
SPS
Source and full story
South Dakota: Several Arrested In Hog Farm Protest
[See article written by non-corporate sources below]
by Randy Dockendorf
Despite about a handful of arrests made during Tuesday's demonstrations, protests will continue at a hog farm planned for west of Wagner, the protest organizer said Tuesday.
The Yankton Sioux Tribe and other hog farm opponents tried to stop work Tuesday at the Long View Farm, said tribal member Mike Archambeau. He said the protesters are trying to enforce a tribal judge's ruling, issued Monday, that removes and excludes the operation from tribal land.
"We will continue protesting until those people are out of there," Archambeau said.
Tribal members went through with the protest even after the tribal judge issued his ruling, Archambeau said. The hog farm is located on deeded land, surrounded by tribal land.
Source and full story
by Randy Dockendorf
Despite about a handful of arrests made during Tuesday's demonstrations, protests will continue at a hog farm planned for west of Wagner, the protest organizer said Tuesday.
The Yankton Sioux Tribe and other hog farm opponents tried to stop work Tuesday at the Long View Farm, said tribal member Mike Archambeau. He said the protesters are trying to enforce a tribal judge's ruling, issued Monday, that removes and excludes the operation from tribal land.
"We will continue protesting until those people are out of there," Archambeau said.
Tribal members went through with the protest even after the tribal judge issued his ruling, Archambeau said. The hog farm is located on deeded land, surrounded by tribal land.
Source and full story
32 Penn State students handcuffed, let go
Thirty-two Penn State students staging a sit-in at Old Main were handcuffed, and later released, when they refused to leave the protest Tuesday afternoon, organizers said.
The students left Old Main after police took down their information and removed the handcuffs, said Aaron Troisi, a member of the Penn State chapter of United Students Against Sweatshops, which organized the protest.
It was not known Tuesday if charges are planned against the protesters. Bill Mahon, Penn State’s vice president of university relations, said the courts would notify the students about any further legal action, but he would not comment on whether the university would press charges.
The students, who are members and supporters of USAS, staged the protest at around 11 a.m. in a mezzanine lounge on the second floor of Old Main. The sit-in was held in conjunction with a rally Tuesday afternoon on the Old Main steps in which students and community members demanded that Penn State President Graham Spanier sign on to the Designated Supplier Program.
Source and full story
The students left Old Main after police took down their information and removed the handcuffs, said Aaron Troisi, a member of the Penn State chapter of United Students Against Sweatshops, which organized the protest.
It was not known Tuesday if charges are planned against the protesters. Bill Mahon, Penn State’s vice president of university relations, said the courts would notify the students about any further legal action, but he would not comment on whether the university would press charges.
The students, who are members and supporters of USAS, staged the protest at around 11 a.m. in a mezzanine lounge on the second floor of Old Main. The sit-in was held in conjunction with a rally Tuesday afternoon on the Old Main steps in which students and community members demanded that Penn State President Graham Spanier sign on to the Designated Supplier Program.
Source and full story
Florida: Students Arrested In School Protest Appear In Court
Several Miami high school students will have to wait to find out if charges against them related to a school protest will be dropped.
On Feb. 28, 26 students were arrested after a brawl broke out at Miami Edison Senior High School. The students were protesting the way the assistant principal had disciplined a classmate, and a fight broke out.
The cases against 21 of those arrested in connection with the brawl have been dismissed. Three students who still face charges appeared in juvenile court on Wednesday.
Kertch Conce, the lawyer representing the three students, said a team of 20 attorneys has been involved in the cast.
Source and full story
On Feb. 28, 26 students were arrested after a brawl broke out at Miami Edison Senior High School. The students were protesting the way the assistant principal had disciplined a classmate, and a fight broke out.
The cases against 21 of those arrested in connection with the brawl have been dismissed. Three students who still face charges appeared in juvenile court on Wednesday.
Kertch Conce, the lawyer representing the three students, said a team of 20 attorneys has been involved in the cast.
Source and full story
Dr. Al-Arian Faces Shocking Abuse in New Facility
Yesterday morning, Dr. Sami Al-Arian was transported by immigration agents to the Hampton Roads Regional Jail in Portsmouth, Virginia. Since arriving at the facility, he has been subjected to numerous, shocking abuses, even worse than those he experienced at a detention center in Maryland.
When Dr. Al-Arian arrived at Hampton Roads Jail, he was initially placed in the general population and given a standard green uniform. Hours later, however, he was placed in segregation unit. Officials told him that he was placed on suicide watch because he was not eating. Dr. Al-Arian is on the 45th day of a hunger strike to protest the government’s refusal to honor its agreement and release him.
After placing him on suicide watch, prison guards confiscated all of Dr. Al-Arian’s belongings. His clothing, including undergarments, were taken away, and he was given only a thin hospital gown to wear in the cold prison. Although Dr. Al-Arian suffers from weak eyesight, his eyeglasses were also taken away. His cell contains no bed sheets, blankets or pillows, only a hard metal bed frame beneath a one-inch mattress. Furthermore, guards took his drinking cup needed to drink water, which is critical during his hunger strike. Further, Dr. Al-Arian was also told that he would only be given one telephone call every 15 days, and that he would not be allowed any attorney calls. Even if he were to be given regular calls, a single call from Hampton Roads Regional Jail costs $25.
Source and full story
When Dr. Al-Arian arrived at Hampton Roads Jail, he was initially placed in the general population and given a standard green uniform. Hours later, however, he was placed in segregation unit. Officials told him that he was placed on suicide watch because he was not eating. Dr. Al-Arian is on the 45th day of a hunger strike to protest the government’s refusal to honor its agreement and release him.
After placing him on suicide watch, prison guards confiscated all of Dr. Al-Arian’s belongings. His clothing, including undergarments, were taken away, and he was given only a thin hospital gown to wear in the cold prison. Although Dr. Al-Arian suffers from weak eyesight, his eyeglasses were also taken away. His cell contains no bed sheets, blankets or pillows, only a hard metal bed frame beneath a one-inch mattress. Furthermore, guards took his drinking cup needed to drink water, which is critical during his hunger strike. Further, Dr. Al-Arian was also told that he would only be given one telephone call every 15 days, and that he would not be allowed any attorney calls. Even if he were to be given regular calls, a single call from Hampton Roads Regional Jail costs $25.
Source and full story
ICE raids Arkansas poultry plant
Federal agents raided a north Arkansas poultry plant Wednesday morning over suspected immigration violations, authorities said.
Temple Black, a spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, told The Associated Press that the arrests came as part of an ongoing criminal investigation that involved a Pilgrim's Pride poultry plant in Batesville. Black declined to say how many people were arrested or describe the nature of the investigation.
"We anticipate agents and officers will be on the premises for several hours," Black said. "More information about the investigation and those arrested will be available this afternoon."
Independence County Sheriff Keith Bowers said the raid occurred at 6 a.m. Wednesday. Bowers said ICE agents did not tell him what their purpose was in raiding the plant, but said they had a warrant list with about 60 names on it.
Bowers said he and five other deputies only provided security at the plant's gates during the operation and left just after 8 a.m.
Federal agents "came in in cooperation with Pilgrim's Pride," Bowers said.
Source and full story
Temple Black, a spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, told The Associated Press that the arrests came as part of an ongoing criminal investigation that involved a Pilgrim's Pride poultry plant in Batesville. Black declined to say how many people were arrested or describe the nature of the investigation.
"We anticipate agents and officers will be on the premises for several hours," Black said. "More information about the investigation and those arrested will be available this afternoon."
Independence County Sheriff Keith Bowers said the raid occurred at 6 a.m. Wednesday. Bowers said ICE agents did not tell him what their purpose was in raiding the plant, but said they had a warrant list with about 60 names on it.
Bowers said he and five other deputies only provided security at the plant's gates during the operation and left just after 8 a.m.
Federal agents "came in in cooperation with Pilgrim's Pride," Bowers said.
Source and full story
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
