ACLU Condemns Milwaukee Police Antibiotic Raids on Latino Businesses
September 19, 2002
Today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin reacted
sharply to a series of overzealous, dangerous and wrongheaded police raids
on September 18 in Milwaukee at Latino businesses selling prescription
antibiotics without a license. In a letter to Milwaukee Police Arthur
Jones, the ACLU of Wisconsin articulated its deep concerns.
The ACLU's letter condemned the decision to have "officers
undertake violent and potentially life-threatening raids" rather than
making any effort to discuss the problem with the stores' owners, community
leaders, or local health providers.
"Latino consumers need information about selecting and using
medications. The Milwaukee Police could work with storeowners and local
community health groups to replace the prescription drugs with useful
on-site information. Instead they devoted considerable law enforcement
resources including uncover investigators to an operation that again undermines
police community relations, " said Chris Ahmuty, Executive Director of
the ACLU of Wisconsin. "It's time the MPD thought about the consequences
of their narrow focus on law enforcement operations. This operation appears
to be another example of the perverse 'War on Drugs"," he added.
The Department's "actions are likely to erode any trust
which has been developed between your Department and the Latino community,"
ACLU of Wisconsin Legal Director Diaz wrote to Chief Jones.
"The overzealous acts of the Milwaukee Police Department
may seem to be standard operating procedures to the police, but they are
anything but standard or ordinary in a community that is already suspicious
of police abuse. Like the Department's overreaction to an impromptu Mexican
Independence Day celebration two years ago, this antibiotic raid must
be treated before police community relations become infected with distrust,"
said ACLU of Wisconsin Legal Director, Micabil Diaz Martinez.
"Latino consumers need and deserve safe health care, and
they need and deserve safe, respectful, and effective police service,"
Diaz concluded.
The ACLU of Wisconsin's letter to Chief Jones is attached.
September 19, 2002
Chief Arthur Jones
Milwaukee Police Department
Police Administration Building
749 W. State Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
RE: Raids on El Rey
Dear Chief Jones:
The purpose of this letter is to address our deep concerns
regarding the Department's raid of El Rey stores on September 18, 2002
for the alleged unlawful sale of antibiotics. As you should be aware,
in much of Central and South America these products are routinely sold
over the counter. Yet rather than making any effort to discuss the problem
with the stores' owners, community leaders, or local health providers,
you decided to have your officers undertake violent and potentially life-threatening
raids on the El Rey grocery store and tortilla factory.
We condemn the Department's decision to raid a retail business
with weapons drawn on completely innocent citizens who were simply shopping
for groceries. We also condemn the decision by your officers at another
location to force persons including two pregnant women to the ground at
gunpoint. It is simply indefensible to decision to treat employees and
customers as if they were frequenting a crack house.
Two years ago, your Department was involved in the selective
enforcement of a "cruising protocol" on Mexican Independence Day. As a
result of lengthy negotiations with community leaders and USDOJ, you expressed
a commitment to increase the level of sensitivity and cultural awareness
of your officers on Milwaukee's south side. The current raids make it
clear that your Department has failed in its efforts, and its actions
are likely to erode any trust which has been developed between your Department
and the Latino community. This action emphasizes the need for the Department
to adopt policies and procedures to ensure proper police conduct and protect
the safety of citizens.
In addition, pursuant § 19.35, Wis. Stats., we request that
you provide us with all reports concerning this incident and with all
Department policies regarding investigation, raid and arrest in places
of business and public retail establishments; and with all policies regarding
the investigation, raid and arrest in cases involving the alleged improper
sale of prescription medications. If there is a fee of more than $25.00
for this information, please advise me before proceeding.
The ACLU-Wisconsin is deeply disturbed these events. We
will continue to be vigilant wherever civil rights are interfered with
and we will take any appropriate action which may be necessary.
Sincerely,
Micabil Diaz
Micabil Diaz, Attorney at Law
Legal Director, American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin
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