A resolution to reaffirm the civil liberties of all members of the Ames community will be discussed at the Ames City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 23.

At the core of the resolution is a series of statements that recommend that the City Council publicly oppose major sections of the USA Patriot Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-56) and affirm the belief that America can be safeguarded from any threats without sacrifice of our constitutional rights.

As observed by the American Civil Liberties Union and many other organizations and individuals, numerous provisions of the Patriot Act are problematic because they:

* expand “terrorism laws to include ‘domestic terrorism’ which could subject political organizations to surveillance, wiretapping, harassment and criminal action for political advocacy”

* expand “the ability of law enforcement to conduct secret searches, gives [such agencies] wide powers of phone and Internet surveillance and access to highly personal medical, financial, mental health and student records with minimal judicial oversight”

* allow the Federal Bureau of Investigation “to investigate American citizens for criminal matters without probable cause of crime if they say it is for ‘intelligence purposes'”

* permit “non-citizens to be jailed based on mere suspicion and to be denied re-admission to the U.S. for engaging in free speech. Suspects convicted of no crime may be detained indefinitely in six month increments without meaningful judicial review.”

Succinctly stated, the Patriot Act directly undermines the Bill of Rights, most notably the freedom of religion, speech, assembly, and the press and freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.

Prepared by members of the Ames Committee for the Defense of Civil Liberties, the resolution before the council requests that the Ames City Council reaffirm its strong support for all constitutional rights and its dedication to defending civil liberties; reaffirm its strong support for the rights of immigrants and resident foreign nationals and oppose measures that discriminate against individuals for legal scrutiny or enforcement activity based on their appearance, religious beliefs or country of origin; and most importantly, that the council affirm the belief that America can be safeguarded from any threats without undermining our constitutional rights and liberties.

I invite all members of the Ames community to contact their respective councilperson and encourage each to endorse and support this important resolution. For to quote the noted abolitionist Wendell Phillips (1811-1884), “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”

Gerry McKiernan

Member

Ames Committee for the Defense

of the Bill of Rights