PROTESTING BUSH? SMILE, YOU MAY BE ON CANDID CAMERA!

The Brevard County chapter of the ACLU is investigating survelliance activities done on January 20 as a group known as Patroits for Peace gathered in Melbourne to protest President Bush's inauguration.

Florida Today reported that Melbourne Police officers videotaped the group of 35 to 40 people which marched from a park to City Hall and held anti-Bush signs. The police chief said his officers' actions were for the protection of the protesters to discourage any potentially violent actions during the gathering.

The Brevard ACLU has made a public records request to city officials seeking all related information, including e-mails, documents, and memos related to the incident, plus a copy of the videotape and information on it's intended purpose.

I'm not doubting the police chief's explanation, but in these days where the present administration would love to circumvent individual liberties under the excuse of "National/Homeland Security", you just can't take anything for granted. Do local officials want to make their own "blacklist" of people who they believe are "radicals"? We just can't take that chance.