Leading Greens speak out against racial profiling
31 July 2005
Leading Greens today expressed alarm at the readiness of the British Transport Police and Government to support a policy of stop and search based on racial identity.Jenny Jones, Green Party London Assembly Member and member of the Metropolitan Policy Authority, said, "Although I might fall into the British Transport Police Chief Constable's category of "old white lady", and am therefore safe from stop and search, I am extremely unhappy at the idea of the police targeting young ethnic-looking males instead. I don't believethat is fair or rational, as it presupposes that terrorists are all of one kind."
Dr Shahrar Ali, Policy Coordinator for the London Greens and subject of frequent arbitrary stops since 9/11, added, "Whilst racial profiling is often advocated by well-meaning non racists, its well-documented effects are anything but non-racist."
"The government now risks alienating and enraging a whole section of society. This is an unjust and grossly misinformed strategy likely to cause great racial divide and resentment." Dr Ali said.
"The only certainty is the manufacture and dissemination of ignorant sterotypes that play straight into the hands of the potential suicide bomber," concluded Dr Ali.
ENDS
Interviews and Comment, contact Green Party press office on020 7561 0282 press@greenparty.org.uk
