The New York Police Department abruptly ended a new practice of maintaining a database on the political background of antiwar protesters. Officials said yesterday that they would destroy the database, started in the past two months, after civil libertarians complained. “After a review, the department has decided to eliminate the use of the Demonstration Debriefing Form,” Michael O’Looney, the department’s chief spokesman, said, reported the New York Times. “Arrestees will no longer be asked questions pertaining to prior demonstration history, or school name.” Some constitutional experts had said that the practice had a chilling effect on protest and speech that are protected by the First Amendment.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/10/nyregion/10NYPD.html
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/10/nyregion/10NYPD.html