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Citizens speak out at ACLU forum
By Bethany Krajelis, The Southern
Thursday, October 18, 2007 10:34 PM CDT
CARBONDALE - As recent allegations of police misconduct hover over departments throughout the region, the Carbondale chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union hosted a forum, "A Citizen's Guide to Surviving Police Encounters" on Thursday night.

The forum, which was included clips of a video and five speakers, took place in the Lesar Law School building as part of the ACLU's biannual meeting. Besides the forum, the group also voted on new officers, approving Lenny Gross as the incoming president.

Carbondale City Councilman Chris Wissmann, who is also an ACLU member, said a recent police incident prompted the topic of the forum. A group of students approached the city council on Sept. 4, claiming police used excessive force during the Aug. 25 arrest of Daryl McNeil outside the Southern Illinois Nightclub.

McNeil was charged with criminal trespass and resisting police. He is scheduled to appear in court next month.

Melodi Green, a third-year law student and president of the Black Law Students Association, said she was unaware of the situation surrounding McNeil's arrest until recently. She said the forum was an opportunity for students to learn.

"I always try to hear about community issues, especially those affecting African American students," Green said before the forum. She said people, especially minorities, need to be educated on their rights.

The video clips, which included a young man getting pulled over, showed the differences in what asserting your right to deny police requested searches.

William Schroeder, an SIU Law professor specializing in criminal law, said that because police hold an overwhelming amount of power, they tend to scare people. He said "you never have to consent to a search," adding that regardless of what police say, they are never on your side.

Todd Sigler, the university police chief, said regardless of certain situations or stereotypes about police officers, "We're not all that bad." He suggested being attentive, following orders and not making sudden movements during traffic stops to avoid the potential for problems.

He also passed out pamphlets on what to do if stopped by the police, which are available at the Carbondale Police Department and the University Department of Public Safety.

bethany.krajelis@thesouthern.com

351-5816

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dell wrote on Oct 22, 2007 10:55 AM:

" The ACLU give attorneys a bad name, and Melodi Green is a basic bigot. She admits to being overly concerned with issues affecting African Americans, How about those that just affect American Melodi? Minorities and the ACLU go together like ham-and-cheese, however I would equate them as being spoiled rotten. Yes, these bigots want to teach the public that law enforcement officers are the bad-guys when in fact that should just look into a mirror. The ACLU is a joke, they proclaim to be the champions of the down-trodden, when in fact they and their far left group do nothing except desecrate our own Constitution and Bill of Rights and rape the public in frivious lawsuits that are cheifly paid by the taxpayers. I would equate the ACLU as no better than the KKK, or NAACP or LULAC, all are racists organizations with ax axe to gring against the majority of people in this country. "

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Marijanus wrote on Oct 19, 2007 3:27 PM:

" Hello all Hello all! Very nice site and very informativity! give thanks Nikolaus Gerber berirtrerejas "

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Cry me a river wrote on Oct 19, 2007 1:18 PM:

" Give me a break! While I realize that a VERY small percentage of law enforcement officers sometimes over-step their bounds, the majority of police men and women do a superior job of protecting the communities in which they live and work. If I worked in the field of criminal justice, I would be deeply offended by the title of this so-called forum ("A Citizen's Guide to Surviving Police Encounters"). The ACLU is a joke. They do more harm than good. And this is coming from a reader with very moderate political views. "

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Who You Gonna Call wrote on Oct 19, 2007 9:23 AM:

" Once again the media gives attention to those such as the ACLU whose liberalism is beyond reasonable comprehension. Law enforcement as a whole is out to protect the law abiding citizen. Most encounters of alleged police misconduct by the media does not involve the law abiding citizen. The media takes it upon themselves to declare the police guilty before any inquiry into the happenings take place. They put the side of story that draws the most headlines to sell papers or get a high tv rating. Police have a job unlike any other, they are constantly in contact with the criminal element of society. It takes a person of special skill and mindset to continually put him or herself in harmsway just to protect someone they probably don't even know. They just know onething, someone needs help and its my job to protect them. Yes, sometimes they make mistakes in the way they conduct themselves, but until you put yourself in their shoes don't knock them. Everytime we attack those who protect us,whether it be law enforcement or the military we come one step closer to weakening a nation. Look what's going on in the world around us and lets start drumming up support for those individuals who protect the constitution of our great country and those who protect our lives and porperty. "

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HMmmmsez wrote on Oct 19, 2007 7:14 AM:

" The ACLU is almost as unpopular with right wingers as Bush is with libs. Note I said almost. Playing bashing Bush can you top this always has Bush bashing taking the cake. Bush bashers numbers have increased to the point of no return, although a few righties still cling to him (precariously?). That ole boy has turned into a lame duck whose dead in the water, and one that has never really flew. But I jest. In truth I really like Bush, and I give him credit for making it all the way to the top. Nobody can knock that. It's what he's done after he arrived that I have trouble with. (Bet "I needs help" doesn't get this one either.) "

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