Profiling by police is so pervasive that 32 million people in the USA say they have been harassed because of their race, religion, or ethnicity, a human rights group said Monday.
The report by Amnesty International USA also said that use of race- and religion-based investigative tactics by local, state and federal law enforcement has increased since 9/11, with focuses on Arabs and Muslims.
"Prior to 9/11, racial profiling was frequently referred to as 'driving while black,' " the report said. "Now, the practice can be more accurately characterized as driving, flying, walking, worshipping, shopping or staying at home while Black, Brown, Red, Yellow, Muslim or of Middle Eastern appearance."
The group estimated that 87 million people in the USA are at "high risk" of being subjects of racial or religious profiling. The estimates were derived from "cross-referencing current population estimates" and public opinion polls in 2001 and 2002.
Amnesty recommended that Congress and state governments pass laws that ban racial profiling.
The report said victims include:
• An 8-year-old Muslim Boy Scout who was separated from his family at an airport and searched. Security officials dismantled his soapbox derby car.
• A Muslim student of Asian descent who was asked by police in Texas if he was carrying any dead bodies or bombs in his car.
• An African-American teacher who is pulled over regularly in San Carlos, Calif., where there are only five other black families.
• Native Americans in Oklahoma who must navigate checkpoints where religious ceremonies are held so police can issue tickets to drivers without car insurance.
"When law enforcement focuses on what people look like, what religion they follow, or what head garb they wear, officials may overlook suspect behavior," said Curt Goering, Amnesty's senior deputy executive director.
President Bush (news - web sites) said in 2001 that racial profiling was "wrong," and the Justice Department (news - web sites) has guidelines on the use of race and religion in investigations.
