Monthly Archives: March 2015

MCCRC “favorable with amendments” position on HB627, the ACLU body camera bill

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Thomas Nephew

MCCRC revised its formal position on proposed body camera legislation from opposition to SB482 to “favorable with amendments” for HB627— the best of three body camera bills considered by the House Judiciary Committee.  (The text of our statement is reproduced … Continue reading →

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Maryland body camera legislation – on its way to “worse than nothing”

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Thomas Nephew

Three body camera bills were considered by the Maryland House Judiciary committee on March 12.  Their statuses, as of this morning, are: HB308 (Conaway: video cameras ) – Unfavorable Report by Judiciary (no motion) HB533 (Sydnor: surveillance exception )  – … Continue reading →

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MCCRC joins national coalition in concerns about federal law enforcement profiling guidance

Posted on March 28, 2015 by Thomas Nephew

MCCRC has joined a national coalition in praising progress but identifying continuing concerns about important federal anti-profiling guidelines released in December.  From the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights announcement: The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and … Continue reading →

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Experts from broad coalition conduct briefing on bipartisan Surveillance State Repeal Act

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Thomas Nephew

As reported in ThinkProgress and elsewhere, experts from across the political spectrum convened in the Cannon House Office Building on Tuesday afternoon to strongly advocate the Surveillance State Repeal Act (SSRA) before an audience of press, public, and congressional staff.  … Continue reading →

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Press release, Rep. Mark Pocan: Pocan & Massie Introduce Legislation to Repeal PATRIOT Act

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Thomas Nephew

Legislation would end NSA Dragnet Collection of Personal Communications Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Reps. Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced the Surveillance State Repeal Act. The legislation would repeal dragnet federal surveillance laws, while overhauling the NSA’s … Continue reading →

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Law Enforcement Officers “Bill of Rights” reform hearings: a report — and next steps

Posted on March 22, 2015 by Thomas Nephew

by Fran Pollner Police reform advocates didn’t just hold a rally on March 12th, they seized the opportunity to tell their stories again at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on 17 bills addressing police misconduct allegations and systemic reforms. Among … Continue reading →

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Video: March 12 MCJE police reform rally in Annapolis

Posted on March 22, 2015 by Thomas Nephew

Here is a video playlist of the Maryland Coalition for Justice and Equality (MCJE) March 12 rally in Annapolis preceding the House Judiciary Committee hearings. * The playlist is in the order that people spoke. To navigate to the desired … Continue reading →

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March 12th Annapolis rally and hearings build case for police reforms

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Thomas Nephew

A brisk, bright early spring day provided the perfect backdrop for a stirring rally for police reform on Annapolis’s “Lawyers Mall” last Thursday. Speakers at the rally included Adam Jackson (Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle), Sara Love (ACLU MD), Gerald … Continue reading →

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ACLU MD Briefing Paper: at least 109 deaths in Maryland police encounters, 2010-2014

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Thomas Nephew

As this Thursday’s critical House Judiciary Committee hearings on police reform bills approach, the ACLU of Maryland has released a briefing paper on deaths in police encounters in Maryland between 2010 and 2014. Compiled from news sources and a public … Continue reading →

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District 16, 20 – call, email Sen. Lee and Raskin: support SB566!

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Thomas Nephew

If you live in District 16 (vicinity of Bethesda, Glen Echo) or District 20 (vicinity of Takoma Park, Silver Spring)  (not sure? look it up here),  please take a minute to make a very important phone call to your Maryland … Continue reading →

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