The federal judge overseeing settlement talks in a racial profiling lawsuit has called a hastily scheduled meeting of all the parties Monday.

        U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott called the meeting Friday as she aims to broker a historic accord on police procedures by an April 5 deadline.

        It's the first time the parties to the lawsuit — including Mayor Charlie Luken and Black United Front leader Rev. Damon Lynch III — will have met in the judge's chambers since the beginning of the collaborative.

        “The parties are making huge progress in negotiating, and I'd like to confirm that,” Judge Dlott said Saturday.

        Negotiations in the year-old lawsuit over racial profiling in the city have been secret, and no motions have been filed since they began. Judge Dlott's action could mean that the terms of the negotiations could soon become public.

        The meeting comes as the parties have been battling in other forums — town hall meetings and the media — over the Black United Front's call for a boycott of the city.

        Some parties to the lawsuit said they expect the judge to ask them to reaffirm their commitment to the process in light of recent events.

        “I always hope to accomplish that, every time we meet,” the judge said. “That's what status conferences are for, really — to see where we are, to keep it on track, and to make sure everyone's still committed.”

        Black United Front spokeswoman Juleana Frierson spoke to a reporter Friday about the boycott of the city. She joked: “This is my last chance to talk before the judge tells me to shut up on Monday.”

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