[Shadow_Group] Fw: Head of Nebraska ACLU says law enforcement agents harassed him

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Head of Nebraska ACLU says law enforcement agents harassed him 
at screening

SCOTT BAUER, Associated Press Writer Friday, October 1, 2004

(10-01) 21:14 PDT LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) --

The head of the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said Friday that two law enforcement agents tried to intimidate him after he screened a documentary film critical of the federal Patriot Act.

Tim Butz, who filed a complaint Wednesday with Nebraska State Patrol chief Col. Tom Nesbitt, alleged that the two officers approached him after he screened the documentary film "Unconstitutional: The War on Our Civil Liberties" at a community college in North Platte on Sept. 22.

The film is critical of the Patriot Act, a package of prosecution and surveillance measures passed by Congress after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist acts that has been criticized as infringing on citizens' constitutional rights.

"Police officers take oaths to uphold the constitution," Butz said. "Stifling free speech is contrary to that oath and is disgraceful."

Butz said the two were among about 75 people who attended the film's screening at Mid-Plains Community College. Butz claims the two officers told him he shouldn't come to small towns to scare people and stir them up.

Patrol spokeswoman Deb Collins said the complaint had been referred to the agency's internal affairs division for investigation. She declined further comment.
State trooper Lt. Norb Liebig, who was named in the complaint, declined to comment while the internal investigation is pending. A second trooper was named in the complaint but Butz said late Friday that he may have been mistaken about the officer's identity.

"Unconstitutional" is being shown across the country in events organized by the ACLU and others.

©2004 Associated Press
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