For Immediate Release Friday, April 18, 2008
Violates tradition of ‘innocent until proven guilty’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Libertarian Party issued a statement from Executive Director Shane Cory following the announcement of the federal government’s new practice of collecting DNA data from people arrested, though not convicted, for federal offenses:
“The new practice of collecting DNA data from people arrested for federal crimes raises serious privacy concerns. The government will now be compiling a databank from people arrested, though not convicted, of any federal crime. Therefore, if you are detained for a federal crime, even a minor offense in a national park, you will have your DNA stored forever with the federal government. This is a sad day for privacy rights in a country that used to value the idea of ‘innocent until proven guilty.’ However, this comes as no surprise given this Republican administration’s eagerness to increase the power and scope of the federal government.”
The Libertarian Party is America’s third largest political party, founded in 1971 as an alternative to the two main political parties. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party by visiting www.LP.org . The Libertarian Party proudly stands for smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom.
For more information on this issue, or to arrange a media interview, please call Andrew Davis at (202) 333-0008 during normal business hours, or at (202) 731-0002 during any other time.
