Friday, January 16, 2009

Civil Forefeiture Disguised As Anti-Gang Measure

While on the surface it sounds like a good idea to go after the assets of violent gang leaders, one has to ask will these actions confine themselves to actual street gangs?

For example, in the late 80's or early 90's, the RICO Act, a piece of legislation designed to attack the mafia was invoked against pro-life organizations.

Likewise, will gangs come to be defined as any organization at odds with prevailing government policy.

Furthermore, what is to stop the government from declaring that a particular area is so infected by pervasive gang activity that it can just move in and seize every single property or to manufacture false charges against the owner of a particular envied holding?

by Frederick Meekins

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