DEAN WOULD LABEL RACIAL PROFILING "DISCRIMINATION"

Monday July 14, 2003
By: Press Office

(July 14, 2003)

AUSTIN--Governor Howard Dean said today that he would take federal action, including withholding federal funding, against state and local law enforcement agencies that engage in racial profiling. As president, Dean would use the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to label racial profiling by law enforcement as a form of discrimination. "Let's start calling racial profiling what it is--discrimination based upon race," Dean said.



In comments today to the annual meetings of the National Council of La Raza here and the NAACP in Miami, Dean took issue with the recent memorandum circulated by Attorney General John Ashcroft on the subject of profiling and with the Bush administration's position that this is a state and local issue over which the federal government has little control. "This is a civil rights issue, and that makes it a federal issue," Dean said. "Racial discrimination is illegal in hiring, housing, and voting. It should be illegal as a law enforcement technique too."



"Condemning racial profiling is not enough," said Dean. "Racial profiling is a serious civil rights issue, and the administration should do more than circulate a memo saying 'don't do it' to federal enforcement agencies he oversees, like the FBI and DEA."



"As President, I will direct my Attorney General to use regulatory authority under existing anti-discrimination laws--the 1964 Civil Rights Act--to define racial profiling as discrimination, and to withhold federal funds from departments that violate those regulations."



Governor Dean also made clear that if existing law does not provide sufficient authority, he would seek legislation providing the authority necessary to take stronger action to end profiling, saying "Racial profiling is wrong, and it deserves more than a memo, Mr. Ashcroft."

http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6873&news_iv_ctrl=1301

He seems to speak with a lot of clarity, as well

Why mince words about it? Good for Howard, calling it out for what it is.

Now what about the wholesale profiling of all Americans through Big Brother programs like TIA and CAPPSII? Will Dean keep us going down this road to a high-tech police state or will he STOP IT? I'd like to know.

:thumbsup: