UPDATE:  In response to the public’s outrage, the New Orleans Police Dept. stopped the policy of releasing records of victims.  Well done, NOLA.

Activists in New Orleans recently started a petition to stop the NOPD from releasing criminal records of murder victims to thousands of people.  In effect, the NOPD has conducted smear campaigns to “blame the victim,” no differently than sending out an email about every rape victim with their sexual histories.  The petition is HERE, on Change.org

In response to this call for Change in the NOPD’s practice (keep in mind they are under a broad scope of federal supervision right now), someone else posted a petition to maintain the status quo.  This suggests that killing people with criminal records is acceptable.

Local attorney Alyson McCrary sent this letter to Change.org.

Dear Change.org Legal Department,

I am writing because I believe one of your users is in violation of your terms of use.  Namely, Anthony Malacaro created the petition at http://www.change.org/petitions/citizens-of-new-orleans-sign-a-petition-in-support-of-releasing-criminal-history-of-murder-victims after the creation of my petition (http://www.change.org/petitions/city-of-new-orleans-end-the-practice-and-policy-of-releasing-homicide-victims-arrest-records ), using some of the exact language of my petition, and to counter the request in my petition to end a racially discriminatory and dehumanizing practice of disrespecting deceased victims of homicide and their families. Mr. Malacaro supports this inhumane practice. I believe his petition violates the following terms in your agreement:

• upload, post, transmit, share, store or otherwise make available content that, in the sole judgment of Company, is objectionable or which restricts or inhibits any other person from using or enjoying the Site, or which may expose Company or its Users to any harm or liability of any type;

• Users who infringe any intellectual property rights of others, whether or not there is any repeat infringement.

• You further agree that you may not use the Service or the Site in any unlawful manner or in any other manner that could damage, disable, overburden or impair the Site

Could you kindly investigate and take action on this matter?

Thank you,

Alison McCrary

Safe Streets/Strong Communities”

Change.org that is an open source tool, one which  “is an online advocacy platform that empowers anyone, anywhere to start, join, and win campaigns for social change. Millions of people sign petitions on Change.org each month on thousands of issues, winning campaigns every day to advance change locally and globally.”  (taken from their website).

Those who would like to help them advance this change should cut/paste Ms. McCrary’s email and contact the site.

Change.org can be emailed HERE.