Monday, July 2, 2001

Freedom of Speech
[to Long Beach councilmember Jackie Kell.]

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Dear Councilmember Kell:

I believe as a history teacher and law school graduate you ought to be as outraged as I was this afternoon when attendees at a LBCUR meeting were informed that the Long Beach Police film and keep some sort of files about persons that demonstrate and that the Long Beach Police are going to do this at the July 4th Festival of Interdependence of Power in El Dorado Park and march to AES Power Plant.

There were many witnesses to this claim that was made by someone that I believe has an inside track on this type of thing. This claim was followed by a warning that these files could impact the employment of individuals being "watched" and recorded.

What the heck is going on???!!!!

I am requesting that you, as my representative, to do the following:

1) have the LBPD along with any and all other public or private organizations involved in keeping such records on private residents to provide all persons with copies of all the records being kept on them.

2) investigate and report to the public what is going on and whom is permitting this to occur.

3) request Steve Cooley to investigate and prosecute those involved in what appears to be a highly illegal activity.

I look forward to your response to this request.

Your constituent,

Colette Marie McLaughlin

bcc: selected and respected members of the Press