Citizen Group Fights ID Checkpoints

By Mark Anderson

Real ID activist Sheila Dean of Austin, Texas, has announced an urgent effort to stop the implementation of random police checkpoints in Texas, under which citizens would be stopped to verify they are carrying "proper" identification. In a news-action bulletin, she said that such unconstitutional actions seem imminent unless an aroused citizenry protests aggressively.

Ms. Dean shared a statement with AFP about her recent correspondence withTexas Attorney General Greg Abbot; it says:

"We, the 5-11 Campaign, ask that you enter our letter as consideration in your decision making pertaining to random license checkpoints in the state of Texas.

"Please acknowledge our letter of refusal to the Department of Public Safety" since it is the political body "with sufficient powers to instill random license checkpoints in the State of Texas."

Ms. Dean added: "We opposed voluntary citizenship checkpoints throughout the state of Texas on the following grounds:

* "It is currently illegal in the state of Texas to expand the use of checkpoints ...

* "In the past three Texas Legislative sessions, [lawmakers have] overwhelmingly opposed the use of checkpoints in the state of Texas for DUI's or any other reason;

* "We oppose the expanded use of our police ... [which are] provided to fight criminal activity" to stop motorists without probable cause;

* "Random license checkpoints are a tenuous violation of the 4th amendment ,[constituting]unlawful search and seizure ...

* " ... We refuse all expenditures or resources ... to institute checkpoints in the state of Texas."

Ms. Dean said that Abbot should be contacted immediately at: 209 W.14th St., Austin, TX 78701. Email: PublicInformation@OAG.state.tx.us.

Ms. Dean can be contacted at (310) 857-8257.

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." -- 4th Amendment to The U.S. Constitution.