Canada Has Their Own Ugly Version of Americas Stop and FriskBy Amanda Warren In the U.S. getting carded asked for ID when buying alcohol or cigarettes can either be an annoying occurrence or a little self-esteem boost depending on age. Carding, however, is an ominous word in Canada because its their word for stop and frisk which is regarded as controversial. Its conducted differently there (see below). The efforts to unite and stop police brutality and press for accountability have been fragmented by blurring the actions and highlighting them as racism. However, when it comes to carding, race does play a role because it includes profiling the next victim of harassment, just as in stop and frisk. Torontos new and first black police chief is finding it a little difficult to explain to the entire community why carding and profiling are necessary. Carding is also called street checks by police, involves interrogation and ends with request for ID and recording the persons information. But the ID is not why its called carding. From National Post: The Canadian Civil Liberties Union says, This is a national issue Policies are very much needed to restrict police activities when they dont have grounds to detain somebody. Although Chief Mark Saunders is firmly sticking with carding practices he does so despite growing ire, especially among black Canadians who feel targeted. After just four days into the job, and after being pressed at the African Canadian Summit in North York, he said: From Toronto Sun: It was the first time residents demanded a stop to it. He minimized their concernsand never used the term, carding in the initial speech: He calls what the police do with carding social costs and vowed community safety, although one audience member said that was code for over policing.If anybody thinks tomorrow is a new day, its not, he said. Instead, he vaguely promised incremental changes, focus on officer training, wanting to eliminate the idea of random stops (whatever that means), and future talks with community leaders but he is adamantly going forth with carding. He said arguing about how policies are worded wasnt going to bring any change change wouldnt happen over night. I think Canadians dont care so much about the word, but the actions. This guy is a wordsmith and a master him-hawer. He is telling Ontario residents to expect nothing by complicating his words about how complicated law is too complicated for them to understand, apparently. This is what master manipulators do when faced with a direct demand. Plus, they try to look appeasing while getting their agenda. Regardless, carding will continue, he says. We need intelligence for gang culture, he says outright to the people repeatedly abused by police and not feeling safe at all. Even with increased public pressure to stop the practice, Canadian officials are painting the practice as vital intelligence gathering. As you might imagine, some people are repeatedly targeted for interrogation, 50 times in one case, even though the intelligence gathered on cards and repeat encounters should let officers know about the person. Repeat encounters instill paranoia and distrust. Which, of course, signals that the police are actually picking on people they target. Whats in my file? people are left to wonder. Its based on the officers perception. Stop and frisk or carding should be ended immediately, regardless of what name it goes by or in what manner it is performed. No matter what TV tells us, people have a right to travel and walk unmolested; they are presumed innocent until proven guilty. They are not to be harassed and molested for thought crimes based on how they look or on an officers whim and career boost. The same person should not be harassed for the rest of his or her life because of God-given appearances. You cant end crime with a crime. With full rights and freedom, people of good character get to bask in that freedom and maintain their personal power. With law enforcement acting as Orwellian authority instead of public servant, and taking aside whomever they please, the dream is a nightmare with cartels run amok who have all the power. See the Campaign to Stop Police Carding Now at StopPoliceCarding.com. I highly recommend this editorial which explains how the problem grew out of control and also shows how Canadians are getting just as sick of these practices as we are. Children are subject to carding too to the point where they need their own legal defense! 