THE SAN DIEGO BIOTECHNICAL CONVENTION - Legal Tools for Maintaining the Peace

THE SAN DIEGO BIOTECHNICAL CONVENTION
Legal Tools for Maintaining the Peace

Robert C. Phillips
Deputy District Attorney
May, 2021

Introduction:

            Between June 24 and 27, 2001, the City of San Diego will be hosting a convention of delegates and dignitaries from around the world, here to discuss the “New Biotechnology; the use of the cellular and molecular processes to solve problems and make products.”  Some 15,000 people are expected to attend, including the heads-of-state from numerous countries, many governors, and possibly even representatives from the White House.

            However, the convention is also expected to attract protestors from around the world numbering in the thousands or even tens of thousands, from a wide variety of unrelated organizations.  And, based upon recent history, it must also be expected that a significant number of these protestors are planning unlawful acts, including some serious acts of violence, as a means of attracting attention to their respective causes.

            It is the purpose of this memorandum, as a part of the planning by law enforcement which is underway in preparation for the Convention, to review the legal tools available to law enforcement in its efforts to eliminate, minimize, or at least properly react to, any planned unlawful and/or violent demonstrations while, at the same time, allow for the lawful and peaceful expression of contrary viewpoints by demonstrators or ....

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