Many people have asked me what this book is about. Realizing that saying “the abuse of constitutional rights” is a bit vague, I decided to list many, though not all, of the specific threats to our rights in 21st Century America that I have documented:
Warrantless, military-style raids on homes and businesses, in violation of the 4th Amendment
Debtors’ Prisons, where defendants are held for inability (not refusal) to pay mounting court fines and fees, and private probation companies that manage their cases.
Child Protection Services agencies, many of which rip children from their terrified parents, without a warrant or due process, and whisk them off to foster care, often based on spurious, anonymous tips. In one case I profile, it took the innocent parents four years to get their daughter back.
Civil asset forfeiture, in which agents of the state seize cash, cars, homes and businesses from people suspected of a crime, without actually filing charges against them. Instead, these cases are called things like “United States of America v. $6750.42 Cash.” Local law enforcement often keeps the profits, and sometimes they share the spoils with the Feds, in exchange for prosecutorial help.
Abuse of free speech, freedom of expression, and the right to assemble – People are being arrested for everything from (legal) flag burning, to asking uncomfortable questions at public forums, to flipping off a cop, to laughing at a U.S. Senator.
Spying on the media, including reporters at AP, Fox News, CBS and The Washington Times.
Spying on black activists, peace activists and members of the Muslim community.
Prosecuting nonviolent Inauguration Day protestors and charging them with enough felonies to land them in prison for 80 years, while trying to get data on millions of Americans who visited Inauguration Day protest websites.
Other topics covered include police shootings of unarmed citizens, illegal strip searches, planting of evidence, forced confessions, corrupt “cash for kids” judges, abuse of prisoners, acute LGBTQ discrimination, attacks on health choices, and more.
