For Immediate Release
June 6, 2009
Columbia, MO- On June 1, 2009, the Attorney General certified a report to the Governor that certain citizens' constitutional rights to be safe in their person are being violated. The 4th amendment provides that every person has a right to be safe in their person from unreasonable search and seizure.
The state of Missouri is not protecting the constitutional rights of all citizens. If you are an African-American in Missouri you are 67% more likely than a Caucasian to be stopped by law enforcement. The data indicates that the likelihood of a person of color being stopped rose for the 4th straight year.
"The NAACP has strongly supported work of law enforcement, but will no longer tolerate violations of citizens' right to be safe in their person" said Mary Ratliff, NAACP State Conference President. "The Governor and Attorney General both acknowledged that Missouri law enforcement has continued to violate our civil rights. Now, as the oldest civil rights organization in the nation, we are calling on every citizen and every NAACP member to stand up for our constitutional rights through any and all applicable administrative and legal means.
In the coming months, the NAACP state conference will present its plan of action which will include meeting with the governor, the attorney general, the chief justice of the Missouri Supreme Court as well as holding seminars, community meetings & rallies for the protection of civil rights. The local branches and state conference will provide further guidance in the near future.
For additional information, contact President Mary Ratliff at (573) 881-0163
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