Tufts students must fight Somerville gang law

Somerville's Anti-Gang Loitering Ordinance is an affront to citizen's rights and can be used as a tool for official racism by Somerville Police. While it is understandable that Somerville wants to control its gang problem, prohibiting any suspicious group from gathering is a violation of civil liberties. This law must be repealed before it is copied by other Massachusetts cities. When the law took effect in August, it drew sharp criticism from immigrant groups and civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union. The law has been called too vague, and immigrant groups are afraid it will lead to racial profiling. MS-13, the gang targeted by Somerville Police, is an El Salvadoran gang. Somerville's Hispanic population could then come under scrutiny by police, who can use this law as license to target anyone of Latino appearance as a member of the Salvadoran gang. Not only is it unfair to incriminate anyone because of their appearance, it is illegal to deny the people of Somerville their right to assemble because they look suspicious. [more ]