Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) has called on Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate law enforcement misconduct against Occupy Wall Street protesters and violations of civil liberties in New York and around the country:
“Over the past several weeks, I have heard a number of credible and troubling allegations of police misconduct around Occupy Wall Street demonstrations nationwide,” said Nadler. “Our law enforcement officers have a duty to protect our health and safety, but that duty must always be discharged with respect for the fundamental First Amendment rights to free expression and peaceful assembly. I am urging Attorney General Holder to launch a thorough investigation into law enforcement activities surrounding Occupy Wall Street – and its national offshoots – to determine whether the police have indeed violated the civil liberties of demonstrators or members of the media.”
Nadler goes on to raise the "troubling" issues of journalists being denied access to arrest scenes and police monitoring in houses of worship where Occupiers have been staying since the rain. You can read the full statement here.
The letter was inspired by the police violence and destruction of property on the night of the November 15 raid in Zuccotti Park. Of course, we have seen similar police brutality across the country, most infamously in Oakland.
As someone who grew up in Jerry's district, this letter comes as no surprise. The ranking member of the Judicial Subcommittee on the Constitution, Congressman Nadler has always been a strong progressive and a strong defender of the Constitution.
If you'd like to say thank you, here are his numbers:
Washington, D.C.
Tel. 202-225-5635
Manhattan
Tel. 212-367-7350
Brooklyn
Tel. 718-373-319
Let's see what AG Holder does now that the ball is in his court.