I invite list members to read and forward this post about this press
conference taking place in Minneapolis this Monday, Jan. 21 at 10 a.m. in
front of the Federal Courthouse. The issues addressed affect people in
Minneapolis, as has been discussed often on this list, as well as in the
state and in the country. If you or your organization is interested in
joining the signatory list please respond to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
We also welcome your support and attendance at the press conference. Thanks
for your attention!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2002
Contact: Caroline Palmer at (612) 978-1936
or Peter Brown at (612) 824-6533
MINNESOTA CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD
WILL ANNOUNCE FORMATION OF STATEWIDE COALITION
TO ADDRESS CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES VIOLATIONS
IN POST-9/11 UNITED STATES AND MINNESOTA
Organizations and individuals join Guild in signing action statement
asserting that the protection of equal justice is patriotism, and commit to
formation of a coalition to protect the core principles of our democracy,
civil rights and liberties for all people.
.
Joint Press Conference in front of Federal Courthouse, 300 South 4th
Street, Minneapolis
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 21, 2002, at 10:00 a.m.
The coalition calls for the following actions, including:
Repeal the "USA PATRIOT" Act
Rescind the rule permitting government eavesdropping on attorney-client
conversations
Rescind the executive order for military tribunals
End corporate favors under the guise of national interest
Release the identities of all detainees and the reasons for their detention
End profiling based on race, ethnicity, religion and national origin
Stop Minnesota from adopting the Model State Emergency Health Powers Act
(MEPHA)
End limitations on the Freedom of Information Act
The date has been chosen to honor Dr. King's commitment to a future in
which people of all races, creeds, nationalities, and classes live together
in a country where equality, justice and peace are the guarantees of
freedom. We draw inspiration from that legacy and are challenged to follow
in his footsteps. Despite Dr. King's vision of an equal society he was
subject to the same sort of investigative techniques that have been
recently legalized by our government in the wake of September 11, including
illegal surveillance, illegal break-ins, and disinformation campaigns.. We
honor Dr. King for his resistance to these tactics and his defense of civil
liberties during a time, much like today, when such resistance and defense
was unpopular.
The following individuals and organizations have committed to the
coalition, as of January 16, 2002. For the individuals listed, the
organizational information provided by their names is for identification
purposes, not to indicate formal organizational adoption. Additional
supporters will be announced at the press conference.
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Minnesota Chapter
State Senator Ellen Anderson (DFL)
Anti-War Committee
State Representative Andy Dawkins (DFL)
Keith Ellison, Attorney-at-Law
Henrietta Faulconer, Northside Neighbors for Justice
Sharon Fischlowitz, Minnesota Justice Foundation
H.E.R.E. Local 17
Reverend Curtis Herron, Zion Baptist Church
Terry Hokenson, Minnesota Friends Meeting
Don Irish, Twin Cities Friends Meeting
Minnesota AIDS Project
Minnesota Civil Liberties Union
Minnesota State Bar Association Human Rights Committee
National Lawyers Guild, Minnesota Chapter
Jamal Omar, Executive Director of the Somali Justice Advocacy Center
Justice Rosalie Wahl, Retired, Minnesota Supreme Court
Lee Pao Xiong, Executive Director of Minneapolis Urban Coalition
Dean (Zimmerperson) Zimmermann, Minneapolis City Council, 6th Ward
(Green Party)
_______________________________________
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