Waterbury lawmaker proposes bill on racial profiling
August 5, 2005
wfsb.com
WATERBURY-- A Connecticut lawmaker is proposing a bill that would violate a seven year old law that prohibits racial profiling in the state.
The only difference, the man behind the bill is one of those who would be singled out of the crowd.
Selim Noujaim, in his third term representing the 74th district in Waterbury, is a native of Lebanon. In the next session, he plans to propose a bill that would allow police around the state to specifically question people of Middle Eastern descent, as well as other ethnic groups, for the sake of national security.
"Regardless of the color of your skin or your nationality, you should not be offended by someone asking you a question or inconveniencing you, because the question will serve to protect the public", says Noujaim.
Selim Noujaim says he realizes that being pulled aside for questioning can be an inconvenience. In fact, since September 11, he knows that firsthand.
"I have already been questioned twice, one time I was boarding a flight in Amsterdam, they asked me, I showed them the documentation. I, of course, was inconvenienced, but it was to protect everyone on that flight".
Noujaim says he proposed the law, simply because it seems more credible coming from someone of Middle Eastern descent. But critics say his bill violates the law.
"You should not discriminate based on race, based on national origin, based on religion, it's unconstitutional", says Roger Vann of the Civil Liberties Union.
Noujaim says the bill is still in the infant stages, but plans to propose it during the fall session. |
