Judge Orders Release of NYPD Surveillance Files

A judge has ruled that New York City must release 2,000 pages of documents related to police surveillance of protesters prior to the 2004 Republican National Convention.

The ruling made public Monday by federal Judge Richard Sullivan in Manhattan supports the conclusions that a federal magistrate judge reached two years ago. The magistrate judge had ordered redactions to protect police sources and said only attorneys can view the documents.

The judge's ruling stems from two lawsuits filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union challenging the arrests of 1,800 protesters and the long waits they faced before seeing a judge.

City lawyer Celeste Koeleveld said the city was disappointed, was reviewing the ruling and was considering its legal options.