Res. No. 143
Resolution calling upon the Federal Bureau of Investigation to begin an immediate investigation into the possibility that excessive or unwarranted force was used during a raid of five homes and one office in Puerto Rico on February 10th, 2006 and calling for Congressional hearings on the matter.
By Council Members Mark-Viverito, Mendez, Arroyo, Baez, Brewer, Dickens, Dilan, Foster, James, Koppell, Palma, Sanders Jr. and Vann
Whereas, According to Reuters New Service, on February 10th, 2006, armed agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launched a raid on five homes and one office in Puerto Rico in search of suspected terrorists; and
Whereas, The six raids were carried out at various locations across the island of Puerto Rico and resulted in no arrests; and
Whereas, Local reporters covering the raids claim to have been assaulted with pepper gas thrown at them by FBI agents; and
Whereas, The February raids followed the shooting of Ojeda Rios, an advocate of Puerto Rican independence, by FBI agents in September of 2005- a shooting which the Puerto Rican government has urged the United States Department of Justice to investigate; and
Whereas, According to El Nuevo Dia, a Puerto Rican daily newspaper, Pedro Toledo, Chief of Police of Puerto Rico, stated that the use of pepper spray against reporters was “completely out of the norm;” and
Whereas, Congress Members Charles Rangel, Jose Serrano, Luis Gutierrez and Nydia Velazquez have requested that FBI Director Robert Mueller, III launch an investigation into the possible use of excessive force during the raids on February 10th, 2006; and
Whereas, It is essential in a free society to ensure that law enforcement agencies respect the rights of all citizens, regardless of their political beliefs; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Federal Bureau of Investigation to begin an immediate investigation into the possibility that excessive or unwarranted force was used during a raid of five homes and one office in Puerto Rico on February 10th, 2006, and calls for Congressional hearings on the matter.
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2/23/06