Monday, May 2, 2016

Celebrate the 33rd Anniversary of Mr. Edward Lawson's 1983 Civil Rights Victory in the US Supreme Court in Kolender v. Lawson "Stop & Identify" Law in San Diego




                U.S. Supreme Court KOLENDER v. LAWSON                                                                                                         
                                            461 U.S. 352 (1983)                                                                                   
                  KOLENDER, CHIEF OF POLICE OF SAN DIEGO, ET AL. v. LAWSON
                         APPEAL FROM THE US COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT 
                                                   No. 81-1320. 
                           Argued November 8, 1982 ~ Decided May 2, 1983  
                                                                                                                                                                            
"We conclude that the (California 647(e) "stop & identify") statute as it has been construed is unconstitutionally vague within the meaning of the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment by failing to clarify what is contemplated [461 U.S. 352, 354] by the  requirement that a suspect provide a "credible and reliable" identification."

"As such, the statute vests virtually complete discretion in the hands of the police to determine whether the suspect has satisfied the statute and must be permitted to go on his way in the absence of probable cause to arrest."
                                                   ...... Justice Sandra Day O'Connor

Obviously, 33 years later, our united nation still has a long way to go.
It's our responsibility; each one of makes choices, whether or not we stand up, speak up and do the right thing... or not. 
We make a choice; "Who am I today?"
Today is May 2nd, 2016. Thank you, Mr. Lawson.