We the People--As Powerful As We Chose To Be


We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.....
Declaration of Independence

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
Preamble to the United States Constitution


So many people have forgotten that "we the people" are the ultimate source of power in the government. From the President to the local city board members, they are all elected by the people. Yet they have forgotten the definition of public servant and have set themselves up as masters of society. Instead, of serving they use the privileges and power temporarily granted to them to further their own greed, bigotries and lust for power. Yet on their own without the machinations of the government, many of them are nothing.

Above excerpts are part of the Unites States History and government, but they are no longer a reality. The Civil Rights original afforded and those, which have been hard fought for, have been eroded by petty individuals, large corporations, and public servants who see themselves as above the law. Phone calls and bank accounts are monitored without obtaining search warrants. Individual are no longer safe from unreasonable searches in their homes, cars or on the street. Religious, medical and sexual decisions have been usurped by bigots in their attempt to force their religious and moral values on others.

The Scales of Justice System are no longer balanced as individuals from the Justice department to the local deputy sheriff have their fingers on their end. Based more on financial and personal ambition, the justice no longer is fair or balanced. Mike NiFong is only an example of the increasing problems in the judicial system. His personal ambitions were more important to him than the representing the truth. The college boys and the local woman are all equal victims of his lust for power. Yet he is only one of many prosecutor who are more concerned about building a reputations and racking up convictions than protecting the public or being representatives of justice. Law enforcement is worse. No longer serving and protecting, they use their power to intimidate, harass and humiliate those members of society they see as weak. Incidences law enforcement abusing individuals on the bases of racial, religious or lifestyle have been rapidly increasing. For most of them, promotions and job security is based on arrest track record. Yet there are those who see the badge as a source of personal power over others. It is all about have control over others. However, even with undisputable documentation, these officers are rarely held accountable for the harm they do. The blue wall protects its own even to the point of lying, altering records and intimidating. Enforcement of the laws are on longer based on laws, civil rights or common sense, but who can afford the best legal council.

The greed of big business has polluted the environment, manipulated the political system, and eroded the middle class. Companies who deliberately damage the environment receive only minor retribution in comparison to the damage they do. Whether it be contamination of ground water or release of toxic waste through improperly filtered smoke stacks, the companies pay small fines, while the public moneys clean up the hazardous situations. Oil, insurance and drug companies have manipulated prices and available of necessary product and services to insure they maintain a monopoly and thereby maximize their profits. Although alterative fuels like bio-diesel, solar, and wind are viable options, their availability has been limited by legislation and lack of governmental support. Drug companies’ sole goal is to maximize their profit margin. It is why they attack alternative healing methods and solutions, such as herbs, so aggressively. If they can’t sell it for a large profit, then it must be debunked or made illegal. It is the same tack they use to prevent individuals from buying the same drugs across both borders for sometimes less than half the cost. While medical insurance used to be an automatic benefit of having a full time job, many companies are no longer covering the costs of the premiums or not offering the benefit at all. With the reduction of coverage, the addition of co-pays and the increase in price, few individuals are able to avoid medical insurance on their own. Yet at the same time, insurance company’s profits are sky rocketing. The economic structure of the country is top heavy. CEO make obscene salaries, while the workers, who actually produce the services and products, are forced to struggle as wages and benefits are rapidly reduced. No longer can a single income support a family; at the same time, CEOs are paid hundreds of thousands of dollars as retirement bonuses or part of separation packages after being fired. Both the Japan and Germany have thriving economies, yet the difference in the salaries between the CEO and the person who cleans the bathroom is approximately 20%.

Whether financial, political or legal, intimidation only works if people back down. When we the people remember that we have the power to create change than change will happen. However, we all have to have the courage to say no more. 2008 is the next Presidential election. It is time to stop voting against an individual and start voting for the person who will represent the best interest of all the people of this country, not just special interests or big business. On a local level, we the people can hold law enforcement responsible by reporting abuses and speaking publicly. By being frightened into silence or by defending the abusers, the violence will only escalate. Bullies are bullies with or without a badge or a title. The only way to stop this is to stand up to them. We the people have the power. We the people can make changes. If we the people chose to have courage.

Grand Traverse Sheriff Department Sexually Assaults Local Wiccan

I want to share my experience with you in hope you will help me receive justice and let others know that they are not alone. I have been doing research and have learned the police abusing their power have become increasingly frequent, yet they are not held responsible for their action. Although repeatedly telling my story has not been easy, it worth keeping the wound open in order to reach out to the others it has happened to and to help it from happening again. I have documentation, which not only substantiates my complaints against the Grand Traverse Sheriff Department and Phillips Settles, but the medical documentation proving the physical and emotional damage it has caused me.

On October 18, 2006, I was driving home from my job at a small factory. I was pulled over by a deputy sheriff, who refused to tell me why he stopped me or to tell me his name. He ordered me from my car and began searching it. He dug my purse out of the back seat of my car and went through it. In the bottom of the side pocket, he found my athame set. Athames are ritual daggers used for directing energy in the Wiccan and Pagan religions. Mine were two small decorative daggers; the largest was 2 1/2 inches, including the hilt. They didn’t have an edge and were the equivalent of a toy cap gun. Without telling me why, he arrested me. At the jail, he told me I was stopped because I was swerving and I was arrested for felony-concealed weapon. He led me inside and turned me over the deputies behind the desk. Even though there were female deputies on duty, I was searched by male deputy. He asked me questions until the other deputy went out of sight. He then insisted on searching me again. Only this time, he groped my breasts and groin. When the deputy behind the desk came back into view, he immediately stopped and stepped away from me.

I was placed in a hallway. The stress of the situation caused an asthma attack. When it first started, I asked for my inhaler, which was in the pocket of my purse. They denied me access. The attack became severe to the point I vomited and urinated on myself. They ignored my repeated requests for my medication. Eventually, they gave me access, but not before damage was done to my lungs. Later, I was photographed and fingerprinted by another male deputy, who also groped my breasts and called it a search. He only stopped when another deputy came into his line of sight.

My bond was set, but when my representative called to find out where to pay it, the deputy who answered the phone discouraged him from immediately paying, saying that I would be going before the judge at 2pm and it would be reduced. My paper work was never processed and I didn’t go before the judge until the next day. When my representative didn’t hear from me by 3 pm, he went to the courthouse and searched for the proper place to pay the bond. Still I was held until after 5:30. The next day at the courthouse, I sat next to a man who told me he heard the deputies bragging that they were teaching me a lesson. His name is Timothy Jon Smith; the phone number he gave me is 231-258-1493. Why they would want to teach me a lesson I don't know; I have never really and any contact with them on or off duty. The only thing I could think of was that about a month earlier I was at the Pagan Pride Day in Grand Rapids. There was a rumor that the officers on duty were writing down license plate numbers. The deputies involve were very good about keeping behind me and concealing their names. This was not the first time they had done this to someone. Nor was I able to learn the arresting officer's name until after I received a copy of the arrest report. It was then that I learned that it was Justin Revnell.

I asked for a court appointed lawyer. Phillip Settles of Acme was assigned. From the beginning, he refused to push the religious aspects of the case and the civil rights violations, nor did he want to hear about the assaults or the medical neglect. His position was that it didn’t matter the size or the reason I had athame. Instead, he did his best to make me fear for my safety. I wanted to file a complaint against the Sheriff Department immediately. Mr. Settles told me that not only wasn’t it safe, but it would do no good. That the Deputy was the nephew of the Sheriff and had a history of making witnesses against him disappear. He told me that in spite my clean record and the fact had I even thought of hurting anyone, if the case went to trial, I would be convicted and sentenced to five years in prison. During the preliminary hearing, he got Revnell to admit he didn’t have permission to search my purse. In addition, my athames were never produced in court, nor did Mr. Settles ask for them to be presented into evidence at the hearing. Both were just cause for the case to be dismissed, yet Mr. Settles said nothing. Mr. Settles filed two motions on my behalf; however, they weren't well researched and were very superficial. There are two recent cases he could have used; one was not only directly on point, but was a Michigan case. Eventually he persuaded me to accept a plea bargain of a misdemeanor. I don’t know if Mr. Settles was incompetent, lazy or working for the other side, but he wasn’t working on my behalf. One thing I found puzzling. The only people I mentioned suiting to was the deputies, yet on our first meeting Mr. Settles immediately told me that he couldn't represent me in a civil suit.

If you compare the arrest report with the transcript of the preliminary hearing, you will find many discrepancies. First and foremost, I didn’t volunteer the information about my athames. I honestly answered the deputy's question. Secondly, I didn’t give him permission to search my car or my purse. There was no reason for him to do so. I was being cooperative. In the report, he photocopied my athames without anything for scale or perspective, because he enlarged them. The images shown in the report wouldn’t have even fit in the pocket of my purse. I have signed statements from friends with their contact information, stating the actual appearance of my athames. Revnell also stated under oath that they were easily accessible and that I used them for self-defense. My athames were in the bottom of the pocket of my purse, which was buried beneath two jackets and a blanket on the floor of the back seat of my car. In order for me to use them for self-defense, I would have to ask the attacker to wait until I search not only for my purse but for my athames as well. In addition, the blade was so thin, it would have snapped off at impact.

On February 17, 2007, I finally got the courage to file a complaint. Instead of going to the office, I sent it certified return receipt to Sheriff Fewins and Alan Schnerder. I never heard from Mr. Schnerder and it wasn’t until the first week in March that I heard from the Sheriff’s department. Captain Dave Meachum called me and said they were going to investigate my complaint either in house or through another department. Two days later, I received a phone call from Detective Kevin Gay of the Traverse City Police Department; his badge number is 299. March 5, he and a member of the TC police departments Internal Affairs interviewed me. I answered all their questions to the best of my ability, yet nothing has been done. I have asked many questions, yet they refuse to give me any answers. The incident report number is 781-7281-07. Since then I’ve heard rumors of a couple of deputies bragging that the “witch deserved it” and that investigation was taken care of. May 18, Detective Gay called and told me he could find no basis for my complaints. Since I had waited to file the sexual assault complaint and I didn’t stress it, he didn’t believe it happened. Many women not only wait, but some never report at all. In November when I talked to the councilor at the Women’s Resource Center, I talked about the sexual elements of the search. I also told several friends who are experienced therapists. I didn’t stress the sexual assault because it stemmed from the civil rights violations and frankly, it’s easier to heal from being groped than from suffocating to death from an asthma attack. Detective Gay has closed the case and once again the Grand Traverse Sheriff Department is getting away it.

After doing research, I realized just how inadequate my defense was. I sent a letter of complaint to Mr. Settles. He responded by repeating many of the same statements he made before, but never addressed my core complaints. I have also filed a formal complaint with the Attorney Grievance Commission and the Attorney General Office, but they have done nothings as well.

I have been physically, emotionally and financially harmed. The asthma attack caused damage to my lunge that is still causing me pain when I breathe. In November, I was diagnosised with PTS. The panic attacks were made worse by the continuing harassment. On November 30, I was pulled over for illegal beeping. On other occasions, I was followed from my job. On March 5, a patrol car followed me a car length and half for miles on the icy roads. If I had to stop for any reason, he would have rear-ended me. The harassment made it difficult for me to leave my home for months afterwards and I nearly became a shut in. For months, I was unable to function on anything more than a basic level. The moment I in October changed so much of my life. For months, I simply couldn’t function. I stopped promoting my novels. Continuing absences because of panic attacks and being unable to breathe nearly cost me my job and my home.

I am asking you to help me receive justice for the harm done to me and the others who have been harassed by the Grand Traverse Sheriff Department. Help me bring the blue wall down so that we can get ethical officers working in our community.

Wiccan Harassed By Grand Traverse Sheriff Department

Greetings,

I want to share my experience with them in hope you will help me receive justice and let others know that they are not alone. I have been doing research and have learned the police abusing their power has become increasingly frequent, yet they are not held responsible for their action. Although telling has not been easy, it worth keeping the wound open in order to reach out to the others it has happened to and to help it from happening again. I have documentation not only for my complaints against the Grand Traverse Sheriff Department and Phillips Settles, but the medical documentation proving the physical and emotional damage it has caused me.

On October 18, 2006, I was driving home from my job at a small factory. I was pulled over by a deputy sheriff, who refused to tell me why he stopped me or to tell me his name. He ordered me from my car and began searching it. He dug my purse out of the back seat of my car and went through it. In the bottom of the side pocket, he found my athame set. Athames are ritual daggers used for directing energy in the Wiccan and Pagan religions. Mine were two small decorative daggers; the largest was 21/2 inches, including the hilt. Without telling me why, he arrested me. At the jail, he told me I was stopped because I was swerving and I was arrested for felony-concealed weapon. He led me inside and turned me over the deputies behind the desk. Even though there were female deputies on duty, I was searched by male deputy. He asked me questions until the other deputy behind the desk went to do other things. He then insisted on searching me again. Only this time, he groped my breasts and groin. When the deputy behind the desk came back into view, he immediately stopped and stepped away from me. I was placed in a hallway. The stress of the situation caused an asthma attack. When it first started, I asked for my inhaler, which was in the pocket of my purse. They denied me access. The attack became severe to the point I vomited and urinated on myself. They ignored my requests for my medication. Eventually, they gave me access, but not before damage was done to my lungs. Later, I was photographed and fingerprinted by another male deputy, who also groped my breasts and called it a search. He only stopped when another deputy came into his line of sight. My bond was set, but when my representative called to find out where to pay it, the deputy who answered the phone discouraged him from immediately paying, saying that I would be going before the judge at 2pm and it would be reduced. My paper work was never processed and I didn’t go before the judge until the next day. When my representative didn’t hear from me by 3 pm, he went to the courthouse and searched for the proper place to pay the bond. Still I was held until after 5:30. The next day at the courthouse, I sat next to a man who told me the deputies were teaching me a lesson. His name is Timothy Jon Smith; the phone number he gave me is 258-1493. Why they would want to teach me a lesson I don't know; I have never really and any contact with them on or off duty. The only thing I could think of was that about a month earlier I was at the Pagan Pride Day in Grand Rapids. There was a rumor that the officers on duty were writing down license plate numbers. The deputies involve were very good about keeping behind me and concealing their names. This was not the first time they had done this to someone. Nor was I able to learn the arresting officer's name until after I received a copy of the arrest report. It was then that I learned that it was Justin Revnell.
I asked for a court appointed lawyer. Phillip Settles of Acme was assigned. From the beginning, he refused to push the religious aspects of the case and the civil rights violations, nor did he want to hear about the assaults or the medical neglect. His position was that it didn’t matter their size or the reason I had them. Instead, he did his best to make me fear for my safety. I wanted to file a complaint against the Sheriff Department immediately. Mr. Settles told me that not only wasn’t it safe, but it would do no good. He told me that in spite my clean record, nor had I even thought of hurting anyone, if the case went to trial, I would be convicted and sentenced to five years in prison. During the preliminary hearing, he got Revnell to admit he didn’t have permission to search my purse, nor did he ask for my athames to be presented into evidence at the hearing. Both were just cause for the case to be dismissed, yet Mr. Settles said nothing. Mr. Settles filed two motions on my behalf; however, they weren't well researched and were very superficial. There are two recent cases he could have used; one was not only directly on point, but was a Michigan case. Eventually he persuaded me to accept a plea bargain of a misdemeanor. I don’t know if Mr. Settles was incompetent, lazy or working for the other side, but he wasn’t working on my behalf. One thing I found puzzling. The only people I mentioned suiting to was the deputies, yet on our first meeting Mr. Settles immediately told me that he couldn't represent me in a civil suit.
If you compare the arrest report with the transcript of the preliminary hearing, you will find many discrepancies. First and foremost, I didn’t volunteer the information about my athames. I honestly answered the deputy's question. Secondly, I didn’t give him permission to search my car or my purse. There was no reason for him to do so. I was being cooperative. In the report, he photocopied my athames without anything for scale or perspective, because he enlarged them. The images shown in the report wouldn’t have even fit in the pocket of my purse. I have signed statements from friends with their contact information, stating the actual appearance of my athames. Revnell also stated under oath that they were easily accessible and that I used them for self-defense. My athames were in the bottom of the pocket of my purse, which was buried beneath two jackets and a blanket on the floor of the back seat of my car. In order for me to use them for self-defense, I would have to ask the attacker to wait until I search not only for my purse but for my athames as well. In addition, the blade was so thin, it would have snapped off at impact.
On February 17, 2007, I finally got the courage to file a complaint. Instead of going to the office, I sent it certified return receipt to Sheriff Fewins and Alan Schnerder. I never heard from Mr. Schnerder and it wasn’t until the first week in March that I heard from the Sheriff’s department. Captain Dave Meachum called me and said they were going to investigate my complaint either in house or through another department. Two days later, I received a phone call from Detective Kevin Gay of the Traverse City Police Department; his badge number is 299. March 5, he and a member of the TC police departments Internal Affairs interviewed me. I answered all their questions both then and sense to the best of my ability, yet nothing has been done. I have questions, yet they refuse to give me any answers. The incident report number is 781-7281-07. Since then I’ve heard rumors of a couple of deputies bragging that the “witch deserved it” and that investigation was taken care of. May 18, Detective Gay called and told me he could find no basis for my complaints. Since I had waited to file the sexual assault complaint and since I didn’t stress it, he didn’t believe it happened. Many women not only wait, but some never report at all. In November when I talked to the councilor at the Women’s Resource Center, I talked about the sexual elements of the search. I also told several friends who are experienced therapists. I didn’t stress the sexual assault because it stemmed from the civil rights violations and frankly, it’s easier to heal from being groped than from suffocating to death from an asthma attack. Detective Gay has closed the case and once again the Grand Traverse Sheriff Department is getting away it.
After doing research, I realized just how inadequate my defense was. I sent a letter of complaint to Mr. Settles. He responded by repeating many of the same statements he made before, but never addressed my core complaints. I have also filed a formal complaint with the Attorney Grievance Commission and the Attorney General Office.
I have been physically, emotionally and financially harmed. The asthma attack caused damage to my lunge that is still causing me pain when I breathe. In November, I was diagnosised with PTS. The panic attacks were made worse by the continuing harassment. On November 30, I was pulled over for illegal beeping. On other occasions, I was followed from my job. On March 5, a patrol car followed me a car length and half for miles on the icy roads. If I had to stop for any reason, he would have rear-ended me. The harassment made it difficult for me to leave my home for months afterwards. For months, I was unable to function on anything more than a basic level. The moment I had in October, promoting my novels vanished. Continuing absences because of panic attacks and being unable to breathe nearly cost me my job and my home.
I am asking you to help me receive justice for the harm done to me and the others who have been harassed by the Grand Traverse Sheriff Department. Help me bring the blue wall down so that we can get ethical officers working in our community. If you have

Chuck you Farley!
By
Theresa Chaze

When did the generation who coined the phase "Chuck you Farley" become cowards? The sixties and seventies were decades filled with political and social change. Yet in the past six years, most of the civil rights that were hard fought for have been rapidly chiseled away without much protest. The anal-retentive traditionalist and bigoted jerks that were mocked and openly confronted now have free run to trample the civil rights. When did the Civil Rights generation become so politically correct that they no longer have the courage to stand up for civil rights, the environment, and individual freedoms. It was just about the time when being called a liberal became an insult or a point of view to be ashamed of; instead of meaning open and fair minded, it has come to mean weak and cowardly. Coincidently it was about the same time that ignorance and bigotry were suddenly promoted as positive aspects and wisdom and fairness were suddenly seen as a liability.
The sole purpose of Bush’s last national speech was to elicit fear and encourage bigotry. Repeatedly he warned that the boogieman was out to get every American. It is true that the world is a less safe place since 2001, but Bush’s policies have only increased the threat on the home front. Not only do terrorists from other nations hate Americans, but also Bush’s suspension of civil rights has given the home-ground bigots and nuts the power to intimidate, harass and degrade people they don’t approve of. No longer do citizens of this country have free speech, religion or are safe from unreasonable searches. Law enforcement no longer have to apply or acquire legal search warrants to search a person, vehicle or home. The presumption of innocence has disappeared, as the police only have to have a suspicion to in order to stop and search an individual. It has become common for law enforcement to attempt to silence dissenting political voices by harassing and intimidating those who speak out. Those who refused to be silenced are labeled as anti-American, traitors, or just dismissed as being ignorant--except for Rosie O’Donnell’s case; she has been labeled as fat and ignorant by traditionalists who hate that she is a strong minded, independent woman with a venue they can’t control. Instead of sticking to the facts, they chose to make personal attacks against those who disagree with their opinions; hence, the labels of treason and ignorance have become attached to those who have a liberal viewpoint.
During the sixties and early seventies, burning draft cards and marching for peace were acts of courage. However, those who protested and refused to go to war are now silent as our sons, daughters, in some cases grandchildren, die or are mutilated on the battlefield. The current administration went to war without justification or proper preparation. Many of the deaths and mutilations could have been avoided with the proper safety equipment. There was over a year debate, but instead of preparing by building up the troops and equipment, the administration continued to think the Iraqis would welcome the American troops like liberators. The US is only the latest of a long line of invaders who have come and gone throughout history; the Iraqis out lasted the others, unless there is a major change in tactics and intelligent preplanning history will repeat itself. The Bush administration either didn’t study the history of the region or they slept through the classes. A true leader stands out front and leads the battle; he doesn’t hide under his mommy and daddy’s bed or play dress up in soldier's clothes. The Bush administration had no trouble sending other people’s children in war, while keeping their family well out of harms way. When the injured return home, they are met with substandard care at over crowd facilities. Many are returning home with permanent physical and emotional issues, yet they are given little to no support.
Women’s rights, medical freedoms, and lifestyle choices are under attack as the “ole boy’s club” is trying to reincarnate themselves. Once again, discrimination is on the rise as people of color, non-Christians and women lose the jobs, children and find themselves profiled by law enforcement. Incidences of police abuse have been increasing since 2002 according to an article in the New York Times. “Random” stops and searches have increased 40% in the last five years; coincidently minorities, women, and non-Christians are more likely to be searched than white men. Violence against women has been rising, yet the Bush administration failed to support legislation, which would have provides addition protection for the women and children at risk. July 2005, five white South Carolina teens, ages 17-18, attempted to lynch a black teen. The attackers were allowed to plead guilty to lesser charges, receiving only 2-6 years in prison instead of the 30 years for the brutal attack on the 16 year old. Although the federal government could have intervene with the civil rights violations, it failed to do so stating they didn’t believe race or ethnicity was a factor in the teens actions. Equal protection under the law has once again become situational. Justice is for sale to the highest bidder. Those who have the resources are protected; those who don’t, are ground up by the system.
Once again, employment, wages and benefits are based on whom you know not what you know. Governmental services and protections are based not on need, but economic and political clout. The poorer sections of New Orleans didn’t receive the aid they needed at the time of the hurricane, nor has it yet to arrive. Conservatives and religious zealots point out that more money is being spend per student than ever before; they complain that they are paying too much for an educational system that doesn’t support their beliefs and traditions. Supplying a good education to all students is not only good for the whole country financially, but it makes the country stronger when all voices have the means and knowledge to contribute. It costs more because modern technology is more expensive than a number 2 pencil. In addition, if the funds were evenly distributed there wouldn’t be the current imbalance in the system. Some schools have more than they need, while others schools don’t even have the basic necessities. If there was a level playing field with every student receiving the same equipment and resources, there wouldn’t be such a radical difference between the level of education between graduating students.
So where did the civil rights generations disappear to? Did they change sides along with their clothing? Are they cowering in the shadows, hoping no will remember their past? Or are they simply afraid to stand up for the beliefs they used to hold as truths? Just how many people have to be subjected to harassment, intimidation, or be degraded before the independents, moderates and the liberals who used to stand for civil rights decide they have had enough? It’s time for society to take back its power and say Chuck you Farley.

Wanted Leaders With Courage and Brains
By
Theresa Chaze

The success of movies like Lord of the Rings, the 300, and the many others reveal this country's need for true heroes and leaders. Although many are set in the fantasy genre, these movies have leaders who are so because they are the ones who are in front during battle not because they won a popularity contest. They are respected as leaders because they led the attack and were not hiding under their mommy and daddy’s bed. No longer are politicians respected and honored, not because heroes are no longer necessary, but they have diminished themselves by misrepresenting and dishonoring themselves.
In the Lord of the Rings, the characters faced insurmountable odds, yet they fought anyway. They faced their fear of death, because their honor demanded it. They could not--would not shirk their responsibility no matter how much it costs them. These days, politicians have sent the military off to an unnecessary war, even though most of them never served. Although military service should not be a prerequisite to public service, there shouldn’t be a pretense of military experience either. Bush’s antics on the aircraft carrier were an attempt to make him look like an eagle, when he was nothing more than a chicken. Instead of listening to the advisors with actual military experience and knowledge, he followed the advice of those who were more interested in the oil than national security. Soldiers went into battle without being provide proper protective equipment. Halliburton and its subsidies frequently failed to the services they were contracted and paid for. Injured soldiers return home only to receive substandard medical and emotional care. As long as Bush’s agenda is being furthered, it doesn’t care how many soldiers are killed or injured.
Battle of Thermopylae happened because the Persians were positioning to attack. Their military was on the move both on land and sea. There was impending danger. The threat was real and immanent. Leonidas and his guard chose to sacrifice their lives for their families, their country and their way of life. Iraq was not an immediate threat to the United States or any other country. After 9-11, the world came together in support of our decision to defend ourselves and to wreak justice on those who attacked us. If we had stopped there and help Afghanistan rebuild, we could have created a worldwide alliance. The attack on Iraq, cost on only the good will and respect of the world, but now that we have blood on the field, we cannot longer be considered objective arbitrators for the region. Instead of being able to create peaceful solutions, we are now just merely one of the players on the field.
The current administration’s policies have done more damage to our way of than the terrorists. While Bush claims to be bringing democracy to Iraq, the civil rights in the United States have been so diminished that the people are no longer safe from searches of their person, in their homes and in their cars. Under the guise of national security, personal privacy has become a right of the past. Emails, telephone calls, bank records--all the personal information that once was protect by law can now be searched without a warrant. Unnecessary traffic stops have increase as they are used an excuse to search vehicles. Many cities have begun to resemble pre-WWII Germany as law enforcement are able to stop citizens and demand to see their papers without reason or just cause. Those who complain or refuse to comply are degraded, harassed and intimidated.
Medical, religious, and personal rights have been eroded, as new laws have been past to circumvent or abolish existing laws as Bush continues to push his religious believes. Hate crimes have increased and frequently go unpunished. Women, people of color and those who have alternative lifestyles are seen as easy targets, because they know they will not be held accountable.
What we need are leaders who have the courage who represent all the people not only special interest groups. They must be willing restore civil rights and hold those who trample them accountable for their actions. We require leaders who will support the economic health of all of society not just the upper 1%. The corporate greed has sent millions of jobs over seas, which is really great for the other counties; however, it has cost millions their ability to provide for themselves and their families as the replacement job opportunities are lower paying and have fewer benefits. In short, we need good old fashion leaders, who are willing to put themselves on the line by being out front. They will have to work the good of all the members of this country by protecting civil rights, the environment, and creating an economic stability that provides for all of society. The next President will have to be someone who will have the wisdom to settle conflicts by compromise, while still have the courage to fight, but only when it is the only option left. This country requires the person in the oval office to be willing and able to work with the other countries in the world instead of trying to bully them.

AI Index: AMR 51/026/2006
United States of America

Stonewalled -- Still demanding respect: Police abuse and misconduct against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the USA

FOCUS SHEETS

Sexism, misogyny and homophobia
Violence against lesbians in the USA


In 2004 a lesbian from Athens, Georgia, filed a civil lawsuit alleging that a former Gwinnett County Deputy raped her because she is a lesbian. The officer reportedly forced her into her apartment at gunpoint before raping her. The woman said the officer vowed to "teach her a lesson" and said the world "needed at least one less dyke and he was going to make sure that happened." The officer was charged with rape, false imprisonment, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with intent to rape, and violating his oath of office. According to the Athens-Clarke County District Attorney's office, the officer was acquitted of most charges, but found guilty of violating his oath of office. The officer agreed to a deal whereby he received two years' probation during which he was to have no contact with the victim. The officer was banned from Athens-Clarke County and promised not to appeal the decision.

In virtually every culture in the world women experience gender-based violence. Survivors of violence against women tell of their profound feelings of shame and of the scepticism and disbelief with which society responds to them. Violence against women is often an invisible crime, usually committed behind closed doors and frequently dismissed as a "normal", and therefore unchangeable, fact of life. Even in countries where laws criminalize violence against women, tolerance of such violence may be found at all levels of society.

Gender discrimination is often combined with other forms of discrimination, including discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity and class. Sexism, misogyny, racism and homophobia often occur together and Amnesty International's research has shown that the prevalence of such discrimination puts lesbians and bisexual women at grave risk of abuse in a range of situations, including in the home and in the community. In most societies having a public or private identity that challenges or differs from the sexual and gender roles expected of men and women can put both men and women at risk. However, as a result of sexism, gender-based discrimination and misogyny, lesbians often face additional or different obstacles in defending their human rights from those faced by gay men. In short, lesbians are at risk of further human rights violations simply because they are women.

In the USA, as elsewhere, violence against lesbians and bisexual women is part of a spectrum of violence to which women can be subjected if they depart from accepted codes of sexual behaviour. Such violence is generally underreported, in large part because of the discrimination and marginalization faced by women who -- in terms of their sexuality or gender expression -- do not conform to social and cultural norms of femininity. Because women's sexual experience can more easily be controlled by the family and community, lesbians and bisexual women may face a different range of obstacles in resisting ill-treatment or seeking redress.

Amnesty International's research showed that discrimination means that lesbians and bisexual women are often blamed for the violence targeted at them. The violence is seen as a "punishment" for their failure to conform to social conventions. Activists told Amnesty International that lesbians and bisexual women who are perceived as "too masculine" fear reporting abuse and violence as all too often they are seen as responsible for the violence committed against them.

A lesbian living in St Paul, Minnesota, reported that in July 2000 a man repeatedly pushed his shopping cart into her partner, eventually knocking her to the ground. She told Amnesty International: "an officer stationed at the front of the store said that if we wanted to press charges then he would have to arrest both my partner and the man since he did not know 'who started it.' When I informed him that the man had been following us for several minutes and had called my partner a 'dyke', he told me that if we 'chose that lifestyle we had to expect some people to have a problem.' He refused to take a report." She took down his badge number and reported the incident to the police precinct, where she was informed that since the officer had not filed any incident report, she could not file a complaint against him. Shortly afterwards she was reportedly fired from her job working for the state of Minnesota. She told Amnesty International she was informed by her employers that her involvement in the incident was "conduct unbecoming to a state employee".

A lesbian told Amnesty International in February 2004 that she was pulled over by police as she was driving one evening. She reported, "They patted me down, spending too long in the wrong places. Then I was told to lay on my stomach on the ground. They were asking me if I would like to know how it felt with a man. I was asked by one of the officers if I had a 'hot babe girlfriend' that I could call to meet us for 'fun'. When I tried to report them, I was laughed at and asked to leave."

Amnesty International's research shows that women whose sexuality or gender expression challenge society's stereotypes of what women should be often face particular difficulties when trying to report violence against them, including threats of further abuse or violence. As a result they may either not report the abuse at all, or tell only part of the story. The discrimination faced by lesbians and bisexual women in society at large also means that breaches of confidentiality by police, judges, prosecutors or other services can pose very real threats to their lives both at home and at work. Reporting violence can put them at risk of extortion, blackmail or public repudiation.

Lesbians have been subjected to violence by law enforcement officers because of their sexuality. In particular, women perceived as "masculine" tend to be seen by officers as non-compliant or resisting arrest and are generally treated with greater physical harshness.

Campaigners have told Amnesty International that some police officers respond to domestic violence involving lesbian couples, by trying "to get the girls to calm down and get along", or see it as a "fair fight". This failure to see such situations as "real" domestic violence stems from a misconception among many law enforcement officials that a determination of domestic violence is based primarily on the sex of the people in the couple. As a result many simply assign the label of "mutual abuse" and arrest both parties in a situation involving violence in a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) relationship.

A Latina woman living in Chicago was arrested and ordered to undergo counselling after her partner called the police, claiming she had been abused. The Latina woman had reportedly been beaten by her partner over a period of time, and neighbours had repeatedly called the police, who usually did not intervene. Despite this long history of abuse, when the police finally took action it was to arrest the long-term victim. An LGBT domestic violence activist told Amnesty International in February 2004 that the abusive partner was fluent in English and was for that reason taken more seriously by police. The victim was monolingual Spanish and unfamiliar with her rights in the USA and so was unable to defend herself verbally with police. As with most same-sex domestic violence cases the police assume both parties liable, and the one that can speak up and makes the first accusations is considered the victim.

What needs to be done
LGBT people in the USA continue to suffer serious police abuses, in some cases amounting to torture and ill-treatment. Despite some positive initiatives by law enforcement agencies and the justice system, much more needs to be done to protect LGBT people from police abuse and misconduct.

The US authorities must stop police violence against lesbians and bisexual women, including by taking the following steps:
Take positive measures to prohibit and prevent rape and sexual abuse by law enforcement officials. The authorities should publicly recognize that rape by law enforcement officials constitutes torture and will not be tolerated. Sexual abuse is a form of ill-treatment that includes the deliberate use of body searches to degrade or humiliate and the use of sexually explicit language.
Promptly and impartially investigate all allegations and reports of police abuse and misconduct, regardless of where they take place. All officers responsible for abuses should be disciplined appropriately and brought to justice. The US government must ensure that the victims receive fair and adequate reparations, including compensation.
Ensure that law enforcement agencies conduct prompt investigations into all reports of LGBT domestic violence. They should ensure that officers are thoroughly trained in how to investigate such allegations, including how to identify the abuser.
Ensure that all law enforcement training programmes are based on human rights standards and include LGBT sensitivity training.
Establish at a local level an independent and effective mechanism for reporting complaints of sexual, physical or verbal abuse by law enforcement officials so that victims, relatives and witnesses can file complaints without fear of reprisal. Investigating and prosecuting authorities should respond with sensitivity to the difficulties faced by LGBT survivors of alleged ill-treatment in pursuing their complaints.

For more details see AI's report: Stonewalled -- still demanding respect Police abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the USA (AI Index: AMR 51/001/2006), available from www.amnesty.org
For further information see www.amnestyusa.org/outfront/

Equal access to justice
Discrimination, the police and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (lgbt) community in the USA

In many parts of the USA Amnesty International has found a pattern of police failing to respond appropriately to crimes against LGBT individuals. Police lack of understanding, or in more extreme cases hostility, has resulted in officers arresting the victims of the crime rather than the perpetrators. LGBT people also experience "profiling" where they are targeted for the selective enforcement of certain regulations because they are considered to have transgressed certain social "norms".

April Mora, a young lesbian of African American and Native American heritage, was reportedly attacked and slashed with razor blades, in Denver, Colorado, in March 2002. The men carved "dyke" into her forearm and "R.I.P." on her stomach. Of the police response, April said: "I think they're saying that, because I choose to look like this I deserve it or something. It's as if - if I want to look like a guy, I should get beat up like a guy."

One of the most striking aspects of crimes against LGBT individuals is the extent to which these crimes go unreported. The discriminatory attitudes of some law enforcement officials are denying many LGBT people equal access to justice. This is often exacerbated by other prejudices prevailing in society, including racism.

LGBT people often do not report crimes against them because they fear a dismissive, hostile or abusive response from the police. Some may fear revealing their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression to the police since this information could find its way to family, friends and employers. LGBT survivors of crime have been coerced into withdrawing complaints. In other cases police have dismissed the fears expressed by LGBT people and left them unprotected, sometimes with fatal consequences. Survivors of crimes motivated by homophobic discrimination or transphobia (discrimination or hostility towards transgender people) have themselves been threatened with arrest or arrested. In some cases officers have reportedly suggested that the victims were in some way responsible for the crimes committed against them.

Al Everton, a 74-year-old gay man, died in October 2003 in San Antonio, Texas, reportedly after being struck on the left temple with a baseball bat. Before he died, Al Everton identified his attacker to family, friends and the authorities and said that the man had shouted homophobic abuse as he beat him with the bat. Al Everton had initially refused to go to the authorities after earlier incidents of homophobic abuse from the alleged attacker because he did not want the police to know that he was gay. The discriminatory motivations of the crime were never investigated and no charges were filed in connection with his death.
Law enforcement officials frequently fail to identify crimes motivated by discrimination properly. The failure to consider if the sexual orientation or gender identity or expression of the victim was a factor in the crime can hinder the investigation.

Violence in the home is a serious problem in the USA for both heterosexual and same-sex couples. Police knowledge about LGBT domestic violence is minimal and survivors experience extreme isolation - a problem exacerbated by the scarcity of programmes and resources that exist for LGBT domestic violence survivors. Nearly three quarters of US police departments who responded to a survey conducted by Amnesty International reported that they have mandatory arrest policies which require officers to make an arrest when responding to a domestic violence call. In the absence of training that enables an officer to make an appropriate assessment as to who should be arrested, this requirement, when coupled with discriminatory attitudes, can lead to survivors being criminalized rather than protected.

LGBT people are often targeted for the selective enforcement of laws and regulations because of their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Such policing practices can affect virtually every sphere of the daily lives of LGBT people and often have an impact that goes far beyond the initial incident.
Vague public order or morals laws are one of the factors that increase the likelihood of these sorts of arrests. They often involve offences such "loitering with intent to solicit," "public lewdness" or "disorderly conduct". Such laws can lead to arbitrary arrest and detention because of the degree of discretion granted to officers in determining what is considered "offensive". In the absence of the checks and guidelines which clear legislation should provide, individual judgement can reflect discriminations which are prevalent in society - such as homophobia, transphobia, racism or sexism.

"The biggest problem we are having from the standpoint of wrongfully charged defendants, is that 95 per cent of them are so embarrassed by the charge -- either indecent exposure, lewd behavior or [sexual] assault on an officer -- they are afraid to fight."
Andrew Thomas, Civil Attorney, San Antonio, Texas, December 2003

Amnesty International's research has revealed a pattern of discrimination and misconduct in the application of "zero tolerance" and "quality of life" policing. These are law enforcement strategies that seek to maintain public order by aggressively enforcing laws against minor offences, for example, public drunkenness, loitering, vandalism, littering or public urination. Regulations on loitering, disorderly conduct and noise violations, for example, are frequently vague, giving individual police officers considerable discretion when enforcing them.

A young African American gay outreach worker was waiting at a bus stop in December 2003 when Chicago police officers allegedly arrested him for loitering with intent to solicit. Despite providing identification and corroborating information from the organization he represents, he was reportedly detained in a downtown precinct for two days.

Amnesty International's research indicates that so-called morals regulations are disproportionately applied to LGBT people. For example, acts that heterosexual couples can openly engage in, such as kissing, may result in police intervention on the grounds that they are regarded as "offensive" when engaged in by same-sex couples.

Reports from several cities suggest that police operations against "lewd conduct" target places where members of the Latino, African American, South Asian or immigrant communities tend to congregate.
"Quality of life" regulations even when more narrowly drawn -- such as those criminalizing the consumption of alcohol, vandalism, littering or urination in public spaces -- tend to be applied selectively towards certain communities. There appear to be significant disparities in the way in which these regulations are policed, depending on factors such as the alleged offender's race, age and socio-economic situation. It is therefore perhaps not surprising that LGBT members of ethnic minorities are disproportionately targeted for enforcement of "quality of life" regulations.

What needs to be done
LGBT people in the USA continue to suffer serious police abuses, in some cases amounting to torture and ill-treatment. Despite some positive initiatives by law enforcement agencies and the justice system, much more needs to be done to protect LGBT people from police abuse and misconduct.

The US authorities must tackle the police abuses that LGBT people face, including by taking the following steps:
Promptly and impartially investigate all allegations and reports of police abuse and misconduct against LGBT people and adequately discipline and bring to justice officers responsible for abuses.
Train police officials to enable them to deal effectively with allegations of violence against LGBT individuals, including how to investigate allegations of domestic violence.
Review all legislation that has in practice resulted in the arrest and detention of individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Take action to prevent any discriminatory application of the law by law enforcement officials. In particular, vague legislation which lends itself to discriminatory application should be amended to specifically describe the conduct prohibited and should explicitly require monitoring and oversight of enforcement practices in order to prevent selective enforcement.
Review policing operations to ensure that they are not targeted in a discriminatory fashion, including operations involving the enforcement of "quality of life" regulations and policies.

For more details see AI's report: Stonewalled -- still demanding respect Police abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the USA (AI Index: AMR 51/001/2006), available from www.amnesty.org
For further information see www.amnestyusa.org/outfront/

Multiple identities, multiple risks
Homophobia, transphobia and racism in the USA


"There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives."
Audre Lorde, US writer and activist

Within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in the USA, transgender individuals, people from ethnic or racial minorities, young people, homeless people, and sex workers are at particular risk of police abuse and misconduct.

Racism often occurs together with homophobia or transphobia (discrimination against or hostility towards transgender people). A significant proportion of reports of abuse against LGBT individuals involve people from racial or ethnic minority groups. Immigration status also contributes to the risk of abuse by law enforcement officials. This mirrors the systemic racism still found in many areas of policing in the USA.
Reported abuses include racist language, harassment, ill-treatment, unjustified stops and searches, false arrests, use of excessive force, unlawful shootings and torture.

Efforts to respond to and prevent violent crime against LGBT individuals are hindered by the lack of documentation and coordination between federal, state and local agencies and community groups. Nevertheless, despite the absence of systematic and consistent monitoring, a picture is emerging of widespread abuses against LGBT individuals. For example, official statistics show that in Chicago in 2003 and Los Angeles in 2002 LGBT people were the second largest group targeted for "hate crimes" (crimes motivated by discrimination) in both cities; only racially motivated crimes were more prevalent in this category of offence.

Amnesty International has found that "hate crimes" motivated by more than one prejudice mostly go unrecorded or are incompletely recorded. However, factors such as gender, race, age, ethnicity and immigration and economic status affect the likelihood of violent attacks against LGBT individuals. In a 2003 national survey, 51 per cent of LGBT individuals reporting "hate crime" were members of racial or ethnic minorities. In Los Angeles in 2002, the majority of "hate crimes" reported against transgender people were committed against low-income transgender women from ethnic minorities, in areas known to be frequented by street-based sex workers.

Stereotypes about gender and sexuality may conflict with stereotypes about race or ethnicity. In some circumstances this can put individuals who do not "fit" these preconceived notions at risk. For example, in late 2003, officers in Los Angeles reportedly denied a request by an African American gay man to be placed in a special unit for LGBT detainees, because in their view as an African American he did not conform to the stereotype of a gay man.

Discriminatory attitudes based on stereotypes of gender and sexuality are sometimes compounded by prejudices which view factors such as race, age or socio-economic status as indicators of criminality.
"Quality of life" policing -- a strategy of aggressively enforcing laws or regulations against minor public order or morals offences, such as littering, loitering or public urination -- has often targeted LGBT communities in the USA. Such policing methods may target an LGBT individual because of their race, ethnicity, age or socio-economic status. In many cases it is difficult to gauge whether they were also targeted on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. While a person may initially be targeted because of their race, for example, the likelihood of police abusing an individual increases when the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression becomes apparent.

X (name withheld), a Native American transgender woman, told Amnesty International that in October 2003 she was stopped in Los Angeles by two police officers as she was walking along a street in the early hours of the morning. The officers said they were taking her to jail for "prostitution" - a charge she denies. X alleges that the officers handcuffed her, put her in a patrol car and drove her to an alley off Hollywood Boulevard. The officers then stopped the car, pulled her out and began hitting her across the face and shouting sexual abuse at her. They then reportedly threw her back into the patrol car, ripped off her skirt and her underwear, and raped her. According to X, they then threw her on the ground and said, "That's what you deserve," and left her there.

Laws which are vaguely worded and do not clearly define the offence are particularly open to discriminatory enforcement. Such laws allow a great deal of discretion on the part of law enforcement officers when they are deciding who to stop, question or detain. In a context where members of particular communities are viewed (profiled) as potential criminals, the risk of discriminatory policing is greatly increased. Amnesty International's research shows that LGBT individuals from ethnic or racial minority groups are viewed with suspicion by law enforcement officials. Transgender women from racial or ethnic minority communities, for example, are frequently profiled as criminal suspects while going about everyday business.

"I think if we were white, the cops and people would treat us differently."
A young lesbian of African American and Native American heritage, Denver, Colorado, 2002

Negative profiling and selective enforcement of "quality of life" legislation can affect individuals in virtually every sphere of their daily lives and often has an impact that goes far beyond the initial incident. In a study published in 2004, Amnesty International USA found that the practice of racial profiling leaves its victims feeling humiliated, depressed, helpless and angry. It also creates fear and mistrust which in turn makes it harder for members of ethnic or racial minorities to report crimes and cooperate with police officers. A similar response was reported by LGBT communities and individuals who had experienced profiling or selective enforcement based on their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, as well as race, age or other status.

Training for law enforcement officials on LGBT issues should not exist in a vacuum but needs to incorporate the way in which issues such as race, age, and socio-economic and immigration status impact on members of LGBT communities.

A gay Filipino survivor of domestic violence living in Los Angeles was reportedly beaten on several occasions by his partner, a white US citizen. When police responded to one altercation, they reportedly arrested the Filipino man and threatened to report him to the immigration authorities, saying: "You're not a citizen. We should deport you, you shouldn't be hitting Americans; you're not an American." The Filipino man was ordered to undergo 52 weeks of batterer's intervention (a programme of assessment and treatment for domestic violence offenders).

What needs to be done
LGBT people in the USA continue to suffer serious police abuses, in some cases amounting to torture and ill-treatment. Despite some positive initiatives by law enforcement agencies and the justice system, much more needs to be done to protect LGBT people from police abuse and misconduct.

The US authorities must tackle homophobia, transphobia and racism in policing, including by taking the following steps:
Review all legislation that has in practice resulted in the arrest and detention of individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Take action to prevent any discriminatory application of the law by law enforcement officials.
Ensure that "hate crime" statutes, where they exist, address acts of violence or discrimination based on actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
All law enforcement authorities should undertake comprehensive data collection on crimes motivated by hostility towards the victim's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Such documentation should include provision for monitoring violence based on multiple identity factors. Detailed and comprehensive statistics should be regularly published.
Review policing operations, including operations involving the enforcement of "quality of life" regulations and policies, to ensure that they are not targeted in a discriminatory fashion.
Ensure that law enforcement officials are trained to protect those who are attacked verbally or physically on grounds such as gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. All police officers should be given training to enable them to deal effectively with allegations of violence against LGBT individuals.

For more details see AI's report: Stonewalled -- still demanding respect Police abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the USA (AI Index: AMR 51/001/2006), available from www.amnesty.org
For further information see www.amnestyusa.org/outfront/

Human rights, human dignity
Police abuses against transgender women and men in the USA

"I know to be respectful to police officers but I'm tired of the way they are treating us."
Alixxxa, a Latina transgender woman, January 2004

Transgender individuals in the USA -- and elsewhere -- are at risk of abuse because of their gender identity linked to pervasive discriminatory attitudes deeply ingrained in society. Amnesty International has received many reports of transgender women being stopped by police while they are going about routine, everyday tasks like hailing a cab, shopping or walking the dog and asked about their reasons for being on the street.
Comments made to Amnesty International by police officials suggest that there is a commonly held assumption that transgender women are sex workers. Community-based organizations and individuals report that this "profiling" of transgender women as sex workers frequently leads to arbitrary arrest and detention. For example, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights activists in Chicago told Amnesty International that officers see transgender women as easy targets when they need to meet their allotted "arrest quota".

In most jurisdictions transgender people's human rights are not legally recognized or protected. Transgender individuals are disproportionately targeted by law enforcement officials and transgender victims of crime are at risk of abuse from the officers called to assist them.

Once transgender people are in contact with the law, abuses often escalate, simply as a result of police reaction to their gender identity. Widespread verbal abuse, unless challenged by those responsible for overseeing police behaviour, can create a culture where discrimination and prejudice are seen to be the accepted norm. It can also create a climate of violence where verbal abuse is at risk of spilling over into physical abuse.

Repeated and unnecessary searches which are humiliating to the transgender person are reportedly common. Often such "checks" appear to be carried out in order to establish a transgender individual's biological sex. Some of these searches amount to sexual abuse and gross infringements of the right to privacy and dignity. There are reports of officers using sexually offensive language; of male police and prison staff touching transgender women's breasts and genitals; of female staff touching transgender men's genitalia; and of male or female staff and other detainees watching transgender detainees while they are naked.

Amnesty International's survey of police departments in the biggest cities in all 50 US states shows that while 62 per cent of police departments report that they train their officers in how to do strip searches, only 31 per cent instruct their officers in how to strip search a transgender individual and only 24 per cent of police departments reported that they had a policy regarding strip searches of transgender people.

Dean Spade - a transgender man and head of the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, a legal advocacy group for transgender and gender-variant people in the USA - was arrested in 2002 by a Port Authority police officer while using the men's room at Grand Central Station, New York. "I entered a restroom, a cop followed me into the restroom and asked me to show ID [identification]. I explained that I was in the right restroom." When two friends came to his assistance, the officer detained them and arrested all three of them. "The cop was really being aggressive," Dean Spade said. "We tried to leave and he pushed us against the wall... We spent 23 hours in jail and ultimately the charges were dropped because there was no legal basis for our arrests.

Amnesty International has documented serious abuses against transgender people in detention. This includes abuses perpetrated by police and corrections officers as well as by other inmates. Transgender people interviewed by Amnesty International expressed their very real fear of being held in gender-segregated cells according to their biological sex, rather than their gender identity. This kind of inappropriate detention puts transgender inmates -- and especially transgender women detained with male prisoners -- at risk of violence and sexual assault by other detainees. Of the 29 police departments who responded to Amnesty International's survey, 59 per cent had no policy on the detention of transgender people. The consequences for the rights of transgender people to physical safety and to justice can be far reaching. In New York activists reported that transgender individuals felt conditions in holding cells to be so dangerous that they were sometimes willing to plead guilty and get a criminal record for an offence they did not commit rather than run the risk of being detained pending trial.

Misunderstandings about transgender people which conflates gender identity with sexual orientation can lead to abuse. A transgender woman reported that when she was screened for a possible place in a special unit for LGBT detainees in Los Angeles, she was questioned extensively about gay male issues. She explained to the officers that she had no knowledge of such issues because she is transgender, not gay. She was subsequently housed with the general prison population.

"When I told them my real name, Rachel, they refused to recognize that and continued to call me by my male name... The State Troopers tried to keep their smirks and comments at a distance, but I still heard words like 'fag' and 'freak' a number of times."
Rachel Thompson, Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, March 2004

Some LGBT detainees have experienced great difficulty in accessing medication while in police holding cells. There are reports that transgender individuals in detention have been prevented from receiving hormone-related medication and denied access to personal items related to their gender identity or expression, such as wigs and make-up. In 1997, a US District Court in Sacramento ruled that the denial of hormone-related medication amounted to cruel and unusual punishment as "abrupt treatment cessation caused nausea, dizziness and reversal of the chemical castration process".

What needs to be done
LGBT people in the USA continue to suffer serious police abuses, in some cases amounting to torture and ill-treatment. Despite some positive initiatives by law enforcement agencies and the justice system, much more needs to be done to protect LGBT people from police abuse and misconduct.

US authorities must tackle the particular risks transgender individuals face within the criminal justice system including by taking the following steps:
Make clear to police officers that sexual, physical or verbal abuse based on real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or expression will not be tolerated and that officers responsible for such abuse will be disciplined appropriately. Officers should address transgender individuals by the name they regularly use.
A transgender individual's opinion about whether it would be safest to detain them in a men's or a women's detention facility must be a central consideration in decisions about housing transgender detainees. The authorities should consult transgender organizations to identify best practice for policies on making housing decisions in a detention facility.
Transgender individuals should not be searched solely in order to challenge their gender identity. If a search is necessary, it should be carried out in private with full regard to the dignity of the person being searched. If the person is transgender, the search should be carried out by two officers of the gender(s) requested by the individual. If a transgender individual does not specify a preference, then the search should be conducted by officers of the same gender as the detainee.
Training should be provided to law enforcement officials on how to address transgender individuals with respect for their dignity, on how to conduct searches of transgender individuals, and on detention policies and procedures for LGBT individuals, to ensure that they are not targeted in a discriminatory fashion.

For more details see AI's report: Stonewalled -- still demanding respect Police abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the USA (AI Index: AMR 51/001/2006), available from www.amnesty.org
For further information see www.amnestyusa.org/outfront/

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Getting Involved
By
Theresa Chaze

With the rapid erosion of personal liberties and the increasing power of the religious right, it is time for the Wiccans and Pagans to take back their power both as a group and as individuals. With of the current atmosphere of intolerance, many who follow the Earth-based religions are afraid to come out of the broom closet. They refused to get politically involved because it’s not the spiritual thing to do or because they are frightened of the repercussions. Staying quiet and hiding is what led to the murder of countless Wiccans and Pagans during the Burning Times. By refusing to fight for their rights and going under ground, the Christians were able to hunt them down individually. But the violence and bigotry has not been left in the past; today they do not burn or hang, they use more subtle means to discriminate and harass.
According to the New York Times, both religions are the fastest growing in the country; by the year 2010, Earth-based or those who worship the Goddess will be the third most popular religions in the United States. Both Wicca and Paganism are legally recognized by the Supreme Court, all military branches, and both houses of Congress, yet they are still the most misunderstood and discriminated religions in the United States. Many acts of violence and intolerance go unreported because the authorities refuse to take action or the individuals involved are afraid of the repercussions so they don‘t report the attacks. Some of the responsibility lies with the members who refuse to speak out by demanding their rights under the existing laws, use the influence of the voting booth and with their economic clout that every consumer has. By refusing to get involved, they give their power away to those who wish do them harm.
Online groups are an efficient way for Wiccans, Pagans and all spiritual people to learn about and from each other. It is a wonderful way to share knowledge and to keep everyone up to date with current events. By keeping connected via the net, the distances between us are eliminated and we can be come a strong community. Yet even with the unanimity of the net, many refused to get involved. In one group, after several members brought up political topics, they were told that political discussions were not allowed in the group because it had nothing to do with either the Wiccan or Pagan religions. Members of another group suggested that they stop watching the news because it was too depressing and frightening; instead they suggested that everyone bliss out and pray for peace. The members of the first group refused to knuckle under to the pressure of a few; the discussion led to a vote, which opened the group to all topics without censorship. The second group just went along. No one asked how not getting involved would help the world become a better place. Prayer does work miracles, but unless it is backed up with practice action nothing is truly accomplished. There is an old parable. A group of spiritual people saw a bush wilting. They circled it and prayed. The bush continued to die, so they prayed harder. A woman walked by, saw the condition of the bush and watered it. The bush was saved and the woman moved on. Pray and light candles, but unless you back it up with speaking out very little will be accomplished.
The Inquisition, the Burning Times and the Salem witch trials are only three examples of the savagery inflicted by Christians. The Inquisition was not limited to witches or Pagans, but included anyone who was different, either mentally or physically and anyone who was not following the narrow Christian path. By 430 AD, death sentences for heretics was enthusiastically enforced. The accused had no right to face the accuser, no witness were allowed to testify on the behalf of the accused, the inquisitors were the judges and there were no appeals. There aren’t any reliable statistics of how many people were tortured to death during this shameful period of human history, but the general thought is that the numbers rise into the millions. The Burning Times is considered from the mid 15 century to the early 18th century, with the peak being from 1550-1675. During such time 200,000 -500 ,000 women, children, men--entire families and villages were butchered. However single women were the predominately victims, as was any woman, who own property and didn’t have a man to protect her. The Salem Witch trials brought the madness to the Americas. Not as many people were murdered, yet for a country, which was based on religious freedom, it continues to be a black mark on its history.
Just as the Earth-based and Goddess religions have been reborn with new names and titles, so has the bigotry and violence returned. On one hand the in the 1980’s the laws making g fortune telling illegal were repealed. Wicca and Paganism have become legally recognized religions. Many of their healing techniques have become common practice. Psychic Fairs can be found regularly across the country. Wiccan and Pagans have created successful businesses, temples, and churches. Yet with all the positive changes that happened in the 80’s and 90’s, the year 2000 bought about a revival of the open fear and hatred of non Christians. The Helms amendment was proposed by Senator Jesse Helms to deprive organizations, which “espouse a system of beliefs, rituals and practices derived in part from pre-Christian Celtic and Welsh traditions” of tax exempt status. In 1985, the amend was defeated. However, Jim Towey, director of Bush’s Faith Based Initiative program, revived the old sentiment when he said, “I haven’t run into a pagan faith-based group yet much less a pagan group that cares for the poor.” Although the remark was ignorant and bigoted, it did serve to unit groups across the country. However, not all such case are so banal; increasingly acts of legislation, judicial decisions and personal acts have crossed over to include infringements of civil rights and threats of violence. In Oregon Township in Michigan, a family of Wiccans moved into a new home, only to have their neighbors try to legally drive them out; they were afraid the family would practice animal sacrifice. Judge Bradford, Chief Judge of Marion Superior Court in Indiana imposed his religious beliefs on a couple, whose divorce case he was presiding over, by forbidding them from teaching their son their Wiccan beliefs. In Greer, SC, a couple was pulled over for an out dated license plate. However the officer was more interested in the Druidic bumper sticker. He questioned them about their beliefs and tried to covert them to Christianity. In an interview with a reporter Mrs. Gainey stated the “officer sent a card and letter to her home address days later. ‘In this letter, he promises our problems will continue unless we listen to the words of the Baptists," she told the reporter. "We're feeling like those are threats.’" In Michigan, a woman tried to file an insurance claim for home repair. The adjuster arrived to survey the damage; he was more interested in her marrital status and her religion instead doing his job. The policy was cancel due to the adjusters report of non existent damage. The insurance company ignored her complaints and the governmental agency said it was a civil matter.
The Burning Times has been redefined to refer to “any threatened return of prejudice against or persecution of Witches and neo-Pagans by other religious groups, law enforcement agencies, employers, politicians and others.” All four examples and others to numerous to list are well within the new definition. The time has come to draw the line in the sand and say no more--no more shall we accept discrimination or violence on any level. We need to combine our political and economic clout to insure the Constitutional limits between Church and State remain intact. By standing together, we can made sure the laws of discrimination and civil rights are enforced. To put it bluntly, we can hang together and stop religious bigotry or we can hang separately and lose our rights to follow our own spiritual paths. Every individual must chose how they want to live--in fear or in faith.

Police Abuse: Sovereign Immunity Protects the Abusers
By
Theresa Chaze



Police abuse is a national problem with officers over stepping their bounds and deliberately doing harm to the people that they have sworn to protect. The country doesn't need more police officers. It needs to set a higher standard for the officers to meet. They need to have a clear understanding of the law and their role in society, so they can protect without infringing on Civil Rights. However, it is not only ignorance of the public’s rights that causes abusive situations, but the officers attempting to secure their jobs by inflating the crime statistics and personal satisfaction of having power over others that are the root causes of the abuse. With statewide budget cuts, every government job is at risk. However by inflating the crime statistics with unjustified arrests and unreasonable traffic stops, they insure the law enforcement system will be immune to pay cuts and lay offs. In addition, individual officers have learned that they won’t be held responsible for their actions. Most officers are ethical and honorable. But there are those who intentionally inflict harm on those in our society they see as vulnerable. They also target those who have lifestyles or points of view that differ from their own.
The cases of abuse, misconduct and bigotry are increasing expediently, because no one in the government willing to address the root cause. One only has to Google--police abuse or police abuse of power to learn how severe the problem has become. Officers get away with it because they can. Victims can sue the law enforcement agencies but the individual officers are never held accountable for the harm they cause. Sovereign Immunity is the legal doctrine that states the sovereign or government and its agents cannot be legally prosecuted for harm they cause. By definition, Sovereign means monarch, the ruler or permanent head of a state, especially a king or queen. Law enforcement officials are neither; they are public servants, not public masters. However, instead of serving and protecting society, they are rapidly become a bigger threat to the public than the criminal element. At least with the criminal element, you can defend yourself without additional criminal charges being added. To merely touch an officer is to be guilty of a crime, yet they are capable of searching your person and property if they have the faintest suspicion you have possibly broken a law. They no longer need proof a crime, just the mere illusion is enough to support a search. They feel entitled to harass and intimidate those they find objectionable because of lifestyle, political affiliation, religion or skin color.
In addition, the abusive actions of law enforcement does not make the public safer. When an officer is actively involved in harassing an individual or group, they are not available to do the job they were hired to do. It adds to the response time, which could be the difference between life and death for the victim of an actual crime.
The changes need to happen on every level--local, state and federal by holding law enforcement responsible for their actions. Either by executive order or legislative initiative, the Sovereign Immunity needs to be rescinded and the individual officers held responsible for their actions. It would not only force the abusers to take personal responsibility for their actions, but it would give the ethical officers the reason to break through the blue wall and expose the abuses. Instead of depleting the law enforcement ranks, it would open the opportunities to officers who are willing to work within their legal limits.
In addition, independent civilian review boards with the enough power to be effective need to be set up in every community. With the existing systems, a person has to file a complaint with the very people who did them harm. Frequently, those who attempt to file complaints are threatened and harassed into silence.
Thirdly, local authorities need to be pressured into investigating the current abuse cases and following up with the appropriate disciplinary actions and retribution for the damage done to individual.
Also, public service campaigns that inform the public of their rights and responsibilities will do much to eliminate confusion and help the public understand what they need to do when confronted with an officer in order to remain safe. A well informed person is more capable of dealing with an abuse situation. By knowing their rights, they can not only prevent the situation from escalating, but also save themselves legal entanglements and remove most excuses officers use to detain individuals.
Individuals should be compensated for their pain not only by the law enforcement agency, but the individual officers as well. If the abusive officers and all those who protect them can loose their homes, cars and everything they have worked for, they will have more of an incentive to follow the rules.
The public has to also stay involved by reporting abuses, filing complaints with the Attorney General of your state, and speaking out in the media. With the popularity of cell phones with cameras, it is very easy to document the abuse and share it with the world, thereby exposing the abusive officers in a way that cannot be disputed. How many more people have to be harmed or killed before the abuse of power is addressed? Civil rights are not optional, yet they frequently ignored and those who are different or weaker become victims to bigotry and ignorance.



Theresa Chaze has been described as the woman who plays with dragons, especially the dragons of the mind. She leads her readers to magical realms and others worlds. Her work is based on her philosophy that all peoples can live together in peace as long as we come from respect, not only for ourselves but those who follow different paths or beliefs. Her work has been compared to Marion Zimmer Bradley and Anne McCaffrey with an adult version of Harry Potter mixed in. Theresa Chaze's major works so far include the first two novels of the Dragon Clan Trilogy and a free fantasy ebook called, Sisters, Mother, Daughters. March 1, 2007, she released an Ebook of Shadows called, Out of the Shadows and into the light; it can only be purchased from her site. Her screenplay, Never Can Say Good-bye, is one of the 2006 winners of the Gloria Film Festival. She publishes an ezine called, Messages From the Universe, which is available on her site www.theresachaze.com.

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Couple accuses pharmacy of denying pills
Pair says workers at Wal-Mart refused to sell morning-after drug; complaint taken to governor
Associated Press
COLUMBUS - A woman has complained to the governor and an abortion-rights group about Wal-Mart workers who wouldn't give her morning-after contraceptive pills that don't require a prescription.

Tashina Byrd, 23, of Springfield, said the pharmacist ``shook his head and laughed'' when a pharmacy attendant asked this month about giving the woman and her boyfriend Plan B. The hormone pills can help prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex.

The attendant told Byrd and her boyfriend, Brian O'Neill, 37, of Columbus, that the store stocked Plan B but nobody would give it to them, the couple told the Columbus Dispatch for a story Monday.

Byrd wrote Gov. Ted Strickland and contacted NARAL Pro-Choice America and Wal-Mart Watch, an activist group that seeks to change the retailer's practices.

``I could go to church if I wanted to be told how to live my life,'' said Byrd, who ended up getting the pills from a CVS pharmacist in Springfield, about 45 miles west of Columbus.

The Food and Drug Administration decided in August to allow nonprescription sales of Plan B emergency contraceptive pills to women. Because those under 18 still need a prescription, pharmacies stock morning-after pills behind the counter and check identification.

NARAL, which fights for reproductive rights, is pushing pharmacies to stock Plan B and to write policies ensuring that it will be made available.

``There's a duty to dispense... without delay, without any kind of harassment,'' said Nancy Keenan, NARAL president.

Legislatures have considered measures to either increase access or protect pharmacists who refuse to dispense certain drugs.

Strickland has no specific plans but ``does not believe (pharmacists) should be engaging in that kind of behavior,'' spokesman Keith Dailey said, referring to what happened at the Springfield Wal-Mart.

Brent Beams, the pharmacist, told The Dispatch that he denied the couple's request for the contraceptive pills because he believes ``in preserving life, and I do not believe in ending life, and life begins at conception.''

After the pharmacist turned them down, O'Neill and Byrd asked for a store manager who ``came over and said, `The pharmacist has the law on his side,' '' O'Neill said.

Wal-Mart is investigating, corporate spokesman Kevin Gardner said. Corporate policy says any Wal-Mart worker who does not feel comfortable dispensing a product can refer customers to another employee.

Ernie Boyd, executive director of the Ohio Pharmacists Association, said pharmacists who refuse to dispense a nonprescription drug might be basing their decision on a moral objection.

``The right or wrong of it is still to be determined,'' said Boyd, whose group has not taken a formal position on the issue.

The association would fight any sweeping legislative proposal to require pharmacists to fill prescriptions no matter what because it would hurt their ability to catch mistakes and prevent possible adverse drug interactions, Boyd said.