Racial Profiling – Washington
"Increased national security should not equate to decreased civil liberties. All people are entitled to due process and other basic human rights and constitutional protections."
–
Mike Anderson, AIUSA
How Washington Rates in Protection From Racial Profiling
Washington's racial profiling laws are empowered by a pragmatic and effective definition. This definition acknowledges that racial profiling almost always contains (in addition to be being based on their race, ethnicity, or national origin) multiple other characteristics such as gender, age, or geographic location. However, Washington's racial profiling laws ignore the very real problem of racial profiling against religious minorities, who have been increasingly targeted since September 11, 2001. Although the laws require ongoing data collection, this requirement only applies to state police. This means that local police do not have to collect data on any traffic or pedestrian stops they make. This limited data collection will inhibit the police's and the public's ability to evaluate the extent of the problem, where it most frequently occurs as well as the effectiveness of future changes in training and discipline. Moreover, even in those areas that are litterally plagued by this problem, the law does not give the public the right to go into court and ask a judge to order the local police department to stop racially profiling area residents and motorists.Protection from racial profiling: Insufficient
Members of Congress supporting the End Racial Profiling Act of 2004:
Senator Maria Cantwell and Representatives Rick Larsen and Jim McDermott