Responde a:

This was done for some of the bigger Mumia demos around 1998 and didn't generate nearly as much controversy about police spying.
The cops were also very cooperative at directing traffic around the Mumia demo/march which proceeded on Bay
and Mission and Laurel in the traffic lanes without incident.
As chair of the Public Safety Committee, I have already asked the Police Chief to present a report
on the incident at our meeting on February 27th, 4pm in the Courtyard Conference Room behind the Council Chambers at City
Hall. The city's Public Safety Committee will look into this, but so far at least on the surface,
there is no reason to think that the Police were doing anything other than attending a public meeting to get logistical information related to public
safety (e.g. potential car and pedestrian conflicts)
concerning an announced demonstration in the streets
downtown in which the planners of the event refused to talk
to the police about their plans or apply for a permit.
As best i can determine so far, there is no evidence that the
Police were gathering any information at the meeting they did go to about the individuals there
or their politics, organizational affiliations, or anything else which would constitute an infringement of
anyone's civil liberties.