The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Wisconsin on Thursday sent a letter to leaders of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies emphasizing respect for the constitutional rights of demonstrators ahead of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee. The letter calls on those agencies to prioritize de-escalation and limit use of force, and arguing that public safety and civil liberties are best served when people can protest peacefully.
In the letter, the ACLU lays out a set of principles that law enforcement should adopt to fulfill their dual duties of protecting constitutional rights and maintaining public safety. It includes practical recommendations regarding the use of de-escalation and non-escalation; clear communication with protesters and the public; clear limitations on the use of force; policies against the surveillance of protesters; and adequate and comprehensive training.
The letter also makes clear that a disproportionate response by law enforcement to overwhelm protesters will escalate tensions.
A copy of the open letter is available here.
