Rakesh Sharma vs NYPD : News update
As you may already know, on May 13, 2005, I was harassed by NYPD while shooting in Manhattan. Some of you have already signed the protest petition as well (http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/980334649?ltl=1118836819).
I filed a complaint with the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), who have been conducting a formal enquiry. They have been able to locate most, if not all the police officers involved in the incident and have recorded their sworn statements. My affidavit has also been filed. We now await the results of their enquiry.
Simultaneously, NYCLU decided to take up the issue legally and we filed a notice for claim in Aug/Sept 2005. A preliminary hearing was held on Nov 10, 2005 in New York, where my sworn statement was recorded. We have now formalised our lawsuit and the various counts on which we are suing the city. We expect to file thelawsuit formally in the second week of January 2006. In addition to a claim for damages etc in the lawsuit, we are also exploring other related issues like infringement of free speech and vilolation of basic rights etc.
Thank you to all those who have lent their support to the campaign. Please sign the petition if you have not done it so far.
I filed a complaint with the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), who have been conducting a formal enquiry. They have been able to locate most, if not all the police officers involved in the incident and have recorded their sworn statements. My affidavit has also been filed. We now await the results of their enquiry.
Simultaneously, NYCLU decided to take up the issue legally and we filed a notice for claim in Aug/Sept 2005. A preliminary hearing was held on Nov 10, 2005 in New York, where my sworn statement was recorded. We have now formalised our lawsuit and the various counts on which we are suing the city. We expect to file thelawsuit formally in the second week of January 2006. In addition to a claim for damages etc in the lawsuit, we are also exploring other related issues like infringement of free speech and vilolation of basic rights etc.
Thank you to all those who have lent their support to the campaign. Please sign the petition if you have not done it so far.
posted by Rakesh Sharma at 8:44 PM
8 Comments:
if you aren't a citizen, you aren't guaranteed any rights under the constitution. quit your whining, wimp.
"Anonymous": You couldn't be more wrong; case law has established consitutional rights to just about anyone within the borders of the US -- whether a citizen or not.
That said, the instant case will come down to determing where personal liberties can be abridged in favor of legitimate interests of national security and a city/state's police powers.
NYPD is notorious for their treatment of minorities and for violating people's rights. I’m sorry that you suffered at their hands. I appreciate your courage in protesting and taken steps to hold the NYPD accountable for their actions. Best wishes!
I found your site via Sepiamutiny.com, where they were discussing your plight. I think it's admirable that you are standing up to the NYPD in this way. Your actions will make the NYC streets safer for Desis, I have no doubt about that.
Best of luck!
Demondoll
Rakesh - following your case with interest. An incident like yours really deserves protest and legal consequences; that may mean that we'll all be less frequently on the receiving end of inappropriate comments and behaviour from police.
Hope you're well. Good luck - Raghu
ANON - Your outburst entirely misses the point. The First Amendment exists expressly to prevent a scenario in which the government, without provocation, detains a person for filming with a camcorder on a city sidewalk.
Mr. Sharma was also denied a request for a permit from the Mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting. MOFTB has no written permit standards and requires applicants to have $1 million of insurance. Maybe you're from TX and don't appreciate it, but New Yorkers have been at the vanguard of free speech rights in America for 250 years. This city is built on debate, exhibitionism, dissent, and speech in all forms. The permit policy and the NYPD's treatment of Mr. Sharma is a disgrace.
The NYCLU has taken up this case because of its serious speech implications for everyone, citizens and visitors alike.
He is the shame on hindus...
Dear Rakesh,
Hello, I am an studetn fom Design, I am basicallyform Baroda, i stduy in Ahmedabad,in national nstitute, Right now i am in Pforzheim universiy under an exchange programme in germany, Today is 11th novmber, i was sitting in my room so i just thught i can check some videos, and i foud your documentary, I am not able to understand anything what should i say about your work, I was in Fine-
Arts institute of broda, when his accident was happen, i feel this time.Rakesh i don know what should i say, Tomorrow i have to present my work and decide a topic to work for jewellery i was confused what should i do, But after watching your whole documentary, I decide i want to work on this topic, I saw lots of thinks in front of my eyes, Rakesh before watching your movie my thinking was different and now i am totally different, I don have words that in what kind of country i am leaving,Ingermany people respect me lot because i am indian and they think India means love, but today i am feelin guilty about it, I am not able to sleep. i want to contact you but i don know how to do that, Dear Rakesh i am speechless, i am graduate in Graphic Design and animation to, Bu after watching peoples comment in video and the reall life of kids words and womens tears, forcing me to thinkg, Please suggest me what should i do, I want to do somethig, but i don know from where should i starts my journey for love and spreading love,
Rakesh please suggest me,i am not able to feel relax
chetanrame@gmail.com
its my contact
looking forward for your reply, it will be great for me....
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