ACLU, Protesters Rally for Release of Racial Data in Traffic Stops

Tired of broken promises to improve transparency in government, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and its supporters protested outside San Diego City Hall Thursday.

They said the city council refused to release racial data involving traffic stops made by San Diego police officers. The ACLU said it was promised the report by now.

“People on the street know what’s happening,” said Pastor Madison Shockley, one of the protesters. “They experience harassment and racial profiling. They experience it every day, but this report will let the world know what’s happening in San Diego, so release the report now.”

The city is paying San Diego State University $50,000 to do an independent analysis of the race data involving traffic stops.

Representatives told NBC 7 they wonder if the report’s release is being blocked because it is not supportive of police.

Leaving a city council meeting, Councilwoman Marti Emerald told the protesters only one phase of the report is completed so far, which is why it was pulled from the meeting’s docket.

“There is no report at this point,” she said. “San Diego State is doing research in three phases. The first phase is analyzing the raw numbers.”

Emerald said it is not fair to release the report in pieces; people need to see the whole picture.

But the ACLU said the numbers in phase one will not change with the release of phase two or three. Those phases involve random interviews with community members and police.

“I understand what you’re saying. You want the complete report released,” said San Diegan Gloria Cooper. “But we’re saying to you it’s important for my community that the first phase of the report be released. Be transparent with us today.”

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