Several released protesters have reported having their jail support hotline numbers erased from their arms by the police. After being handcuffed, police allegedly used rubbing alcohol to remove the sharpie-drawn jail support numbers the protesters had drawn on their forearms because they knew the police would not let them have the yellow pages, call 411 or let them keep a piece of paper with the numbers written on them.
This effectively denied them their right to contact a lawyer (problem #1), was a use of force that exceeded their authority (problem #2) and is not an accepted police tactic (problem #3).
Food for thought.
---today's test--------
Can you name the source of this quote: "Unreasonable searches or seizures. No law shall violate the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable search, or seizure; and no warrant shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath, or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the person or thing to be seized."
Did you guess the US constitution? Nope, this is Article I, Section 9 of the OREGON constitution. Seems that the protesters rights were violated at the state level as well as federal. More from interesting stuff from Oregon's constitution, which our officers were supposed to uphold (all under article I):
Section 13. Treatment of arrested or confined persons. No person arrested, or confined in jail, shall be treated with unnecessary rigor.
Section 16. Excessive bail and fines; cruel and unusual punishments; power of jury in criminal case. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed. Cruel and unusual punishments shall not be inflicted, but all penalties shall be proportioned to the offense.In all criminal cases whatever, the jury shall have the right to determine the law, and the facts under the direction of the Court as to the law, and the right of new trial, as in civil cases.
Section 20. Equality of privileges and immunities of citizens. No law shall be passed granting to any citizen or class of citizens privileges, or immunities, which, upon the same terms, shall not equally belong to all citizens.
Section 22. Suspension of operation of laws. The operation of the laws shall never be suspended, except by the Authority of the Legislative Assembly -(note: does NOT say the police can suspend the laws)
Section 26. Assemblages of people; instruction of representatives; application to legislature. No law shall be passed restraining any of the inhabitants of the State from assembling together in a peaceable manner to consult for their common good; nor from instructing their Representatives; nor from applying to the Legislature for redress of greviances (sic).
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...In all criminal cases whatever, the jury shall have the right to determine the law..."
So what does this say about measure 11 sentencing?? Seems it would be unconstitutional on its face.
As the enforcers were lined up at Columbia Park Annex, I could not help but think of them as oath breakers.
Of of course they could always say, "I was just following orders."