Post by WaTcHeR on Jan 14, 2007 17:06:38 GMT -5
01.14.2007 - PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- The ACLU claims racial profiling and constitutional violations in a federal lawsuit filed against the Rhode Island State Police.
The lawsuit stems from a traffic stop on Interstate 95 in Richmond last July. The American Civil Liberties Union alleges that a state trooper pulled over a van for a minor traffic violation, failing to use a signal when changing lanes, which then led to the detention of 14 Guatemalan by immigration officials.
Steven Brown, director of the Rhode Island affiliate, says state police engaged in racial profiling. The suit asks for punitive and compensatory damages on behalf of the plaintiffs.
State police Major Steven O'Donnell says the department investigated the incident and stands behind the troopers involved.
ww2.wpri.com/Global/story.asp?S=5911410
The lawsuit stems from a traffic stop on Interstate 95 in Richmond last July. The American Civil Liberties Union alleges that a state trooper pulled over a van for a minor traffic violation, failing to use a signal when changing lanes, which then led to the detention of 14 Guatemalan by immigration officials.
Steven Brown, director of the Rhode Island affiliate, says state police engaged in racial profiling. The suit asks for punitive and compensatory damages on behalf of the plaintiffs.
State police Major Steven O'Donnell says the department investigated the incident and stands behind the troopers involved.
ww2.wpri.com/Global/story.asp?S=5911410