Topic: Local Ordinances and Resolutions

In Light of Recent Massacre of Palestinian Protesters, It’s Time for US Police to End Exchanges of Worst Practices With Human Rights Abusers
April 6, 2018 – Although Defending Rights & Dissent is a domestic civil liberties, we recognize the threat allowing police departments to train with known human rights abusers. US police are frequently criticized for acting like an occupying army. Training with an actual occupying army will only further this mindset amongst law enforcement.
Demanding Transparency About Police Use of Surveillance Technology
March 27, 2018 – It seems that every week brings news of another local police department adopting another new technology to monitor our words, movement, or relationships online and off.
Are JTTFs Protecting Us Against Threats, or Threatening Our Civil Rights & Liberties?
January 29, 2018 – Since the 9/11 attacks, the United States government has poured money into counter-terrorism efforts. One place in which they have spent billions of dollars is the network of 119 Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) located across the country.
Oakland Privacy Scores Another Victory
January 17, 2018 – Last night, the Oakland City Council voted to formally end all law enforcement cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its parent agency Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
DRAD Nominates Oakland Privacy for FAC Free Speech & Open Government Award
October 24, 2017 – The activists of Oakland Privacy are a bulwark against government abuses of the First and Fourth Amendment in the Bay Area and the state of California. The group is also an inspiration and model for grassroots activists across the country. They deserve this award!
Activists Work for Surveillance Transparency in Cambridge
October 13, 2017 – Residents are encouraged to turnout at the City Council meeting next week to stand up and speak up for surveillance transparency and oversight.
Resistance Cities Coalition Grows
September 1, 2017 – What do communities of color, environmentalists, animal rights activists, civil rights activists, immigrant communities, Muslims, the labor movement, and a host of others all have in common?
Are Your Police Willing Foot Soldiers in Trump’s FBI?
August 31, 2017 – State and local agencies participate in JTTFs under secret agreements and they operate under the direction, and usually under the rules and guidelines, of the FBI.
Victory for Rockville’s Fostering Community Trust Ordinance: Lessons Learned
July 11, 2017 – After nearly four months of advocacy, supporters of the Fostering Community Trust ordinance erupted in applause after a majority of City Councilmembers raised their hands in favor of the measure, which enshrines an unwritten Rockville City Police (RPD) policy into law.
Fostering Community Trust in Rockville
June 30, 2017 – On June 19, the Maryland city of Rockville passed the Fostering Community Trust ordinance, after a long campaign by community activists. The ordinance, introduced by Councilmember Julie Palakovich Carr earlier this year will prohibit all City of… [Read More]