For Immediate Release - November 17, 2008
For more information, contact: Hedy Weinberg, ACLU-TN Executive Director, 615-320-7142
NASHVILLE – The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee (ACLU-TN) today announced its "Justice in Jackson" Campaign, which focuses on racial profiling by law enforcement in Jackson, Tennessee. The goal of the project is to examine the extent and prevalence of racial profiling in Jackson, increase public awareness about the issue, and share “know your rights” information with the targeted communities.
After the Jackson Sun successfully filed a lawsuit to obtain field interview cards collected by the Jackson Police Department, ACLU-TN also requested copies of the cards. The cards contain personal information such as birth dates, contact information and social security numbers and are retained by the police regardless of whether the interviewee is charged or arrested. A preliminary examination of the field cards and independent interviews conducted with individuals who have been stopped indicated that African-American men are the prime focus of these stops—although the majority do not appear to have been charged or arrested.
According to Hedy Weinberg, ACLU-TN Executive Director, “Racial profiling undermines the basic notion of fairness and equality. Racial profiling has created a crisis in confidence in law enforcement in communities of color. Our Justice in Jackson campaign will alert residents of their rights and law enforcement of their responsibilities. We hope to empower people to speak out about their experiences and to develop strategies for law enforcement training and accountability to end racial profiling in Jackson.
The “Justice in Jackson” project is part of the ACLU's long-standing commitment to eliminate racial profiling as a law enforcement tool in Tennessee. Over the last five years, ACLU-TN has sponsored town hall meetings, provided training for law enforcement agencies and community groups, lobbied for state legislation that would combat racial profiling and strengthened community-police relationships.
ACLU-TN and the NAACP Jackson-Madison Chapter have joined together with local community groups to form The Jackson Coalition for Justice which is now planning a public forum entitled "A Conversation on Racial Profiling." The community gathering will be held on Tuesday, November 18 at 6:30 p.m. at New St. Luke Community Church ( 1617 North Royal Street ) . Attendees will be invited to speak about their concerns and experiences, learn the extent and prevalence of the problem (locally and across the country), find out about the efforts of other communities and states to eliminate racial profiling, and discuss the establishment of acceptable policing standards.
