Letter to the Editor: The Defense of Our Democracy

Have you heard that the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Chicago just decided in favor of the ACLU and against the Illinois law that had made it illegal for people to audio record police officers in public without their consent.

This Illinois law is an outrage and the decision is a huge victory for citizen journalism and democracy in our state.

Until now, using your cell phone to record a police officer acting in an wholly inappropriate fashion on public property could land you in jail for years.

Most people had no idea – who would have thought such a thing was possible in America. However, luckily for all of us, Chris Drew knew. He was a street artist and founder of the Uptown Multicultural Art Center, who ran afoul of this law when he attempted to document the police harassing him while he was selling his art on our streets.

He took on this unjust law and the system that promoted it with a vigor that was absolutely inspirational to all who seek a better world, including the many state legislators who are working to remove the law from the books.

Despite developing cancer, he remained undaunted and determined to take his case all the way to the Supreme Court, if necessary. However, in a strange twist of fate he succumbed to his illness one day before the landmark 7th Court decision was announced.

Professor David Protess of the Chicago Innocence Project had great respect for Chris and wrote an obituary that all people of good will should read and take to heart.

In another, related case, our County Court has decided that a person is guilty of criminal trespass and can be sent to jail for taking photos or video of meetings that are open to the general public and held on private property, unless he/she has obtained express advance permission from the property owner.

Good heavens, is this what democracy is supposed to look like?

This case is an outrage and all of us need to know what goes on in the courts, in our name. The case has been summarized on the following Web site and if we expect justice for ourselves and those we know and love, now is the time to understand what American Justice is all about. And do something!

Finally, I recommend the Panel Discussion on Wrongful Convictions, which will be held on May 15th, 7 p.m., at the Unitarian Church, 2100 Half Day Rd, Deerfield. It should open a great many eyes and minds.

Regards,

Erich L. Gibbs, Ph.D.