Berkeley City Council to vote on Police Dept. Agreements with Feds

The Berkeley Police Department's (BPD) plan for an Armored Vehicle funded by Homeland Security (DHS) has been quashed; But, as long as our local police departments have an agreement with the DHS for UASI (Urban Areas Security Initiative) Urban Warfare training and equipment funds, what's to stop them for applying for unmanned Spy Drones, insect size or larger? This would ensure non-violent demonstrations don't penetrate restricted non-free speech zones, don't get too close to candidates of our "two party" system, or besmirch private property.

Berkeley Police Department agreements with Homeland Security, the UASI program, and with FBI's Suspicious Activity Reporting to the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC) are on the City Council's agenda for their Tuesday 9/18/12 meeting.

Also to be considered are Mutual Aid Pacts with other PD jurisdictions. Should we exchange mutual aid with police departments that have used brutal tactics, like the brain damaging bean bag that put Veteran Scott Olsen in a coma, or the pepper spraying and clubbing of UC students exercising non-violent civil disobedience? Should the City of Berkeley hold undocumented immigrants beyond their release date for ICE because they have served time for a felony five or ten years ago? We say NO! And cut ties with UASI and NCRIC.

Please attend the Berkeley City Council meeting on September 18, 2012 at 7pm and express your views.