Open Convention Security Records, Judge Tells NY Police

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A federal judge ordered New York’s police department to release records of its security planning for the 2004 Republican National Convention, saying there had been no “concrete showing of harm that would result from public disclosure.” Magistrate Judge James C. Francis, quoting from an earlier case, said, the “press, by encouraging public discussion of the issues raised by these cases, serves an important role in maintaining the robust ‘marketplace of ideas so essential to our democracy.’ ” (5/7/07)