Unlike an anti-Iraq war resolution (which, I still maintain, would send a powerful message), a bill of rights defense resolution could have a real impact on how some of our local institutions actually operate (police and libraries come to mind immediately). Indeed, efforts have been made elsewhere to move local police forces away from enforcing federal immigration and drug laws. (By the way, it is important to note that such a resolution is not a John C. Calhoun/Strom Thurmond call to state "nullification" of federal laws - this is about removing local government from complicity through enforcement of the federal laws in question).
After a quick look at the web site referenced in the Utne article:
(http://www.bordc.org)
It seems that for this to work in Minneapolis, it would be helpful to get a commitment of support from the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union. Are there any MCLU volunteer attorneys on the list who know if this kind of a campaign would fit with whatever MCLU is already doing in response to the USA Patriot Act? I know that MCLU's resources are limited and, perhaps, they already have a good campaign on this issue going in Minnesota.
Also, I know that there are some pretty scary items in the Act with regard to government access to library records. Is anybody on the list familiar with what, if anything, the Minneapolis Public Library has done in response to these laws? I know there is a campaign going on elsewhere in the U.S. to get libraries to put warning notices up so that citizens know that certain aspects of their privacy are no longer protected in libraries.
Lastly, if any Minneapolitans on the list are planning to come out to D.C. on MLK weekend for the big anti-war protest, we still have a little space left on the floor at our house. Contact me if you are looking for a place to stay for that weekend.
Paul C. Rohlfing
-Formerly Linden Hills and Lyndale, currently Bethesda, Maryland
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
From: Mark Snyder <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>_________________________________________________________________
To: Minneapolis Issues Forum <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Mpls] From the Utne Reader
Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2002 23:40:47 -0600
Hi all,
I saw this article in the Utne Reader and thought it would make a good topic
for discussion. Should Minneapolis consider something like this?
Mark Snyder
Windom Park
------
The entire story may be viewed at
http://www.utne.com/webwatch/2002_245/news/10166-1.html
Declare Your Town a Civil Liberties Safe Zone
December 16, 2002
By Leif Utne, Utne
In the face of the Bush administration's relentless drive to erode civil
liberties under the banner of the war on terror, a novel form of protest is
spreading across the country. Eighteen cities and towns have declared
themselves "civil liberties safe zones," and at least 40 others in 24 states
are considering doing the same, reports Nat Hentoff in a recent Village
Voice column.
The movement was born last February, when 300 citizens in Northampton,
Massachusetts formed the Bill of Rights Defense Committee. Angered by the
hasty and secretive passage of the USA PATRIOT Act--a sweeping
anti-terrorism bill that gave federal law enforcement broad new powers to
snoop on citizens--the Northampton BORDC began lobbying the city council.
In May, the council passed a unanimous resolution affirming the town's
support of the constitutional rights threatened by the Act, namely: the
rights to freedom of speech, religion, assembly and privacy; the rights to
counsel and due process; and protection from unreasonable searches and
seizures. The declaration goes on to request that the local police not
cooperate with federal officials in any action that infringes on these
rights; that the Feds act according to local policies when in Northampton;
and that local members of Congress work to repeal the USA PATRIOT Act.
The recent election results, the Homeland Security Act, and revelations of
the Pentagon's new Office of Total Information Awareness have given the
effort a renewed sense of urgency. "More Americans are coming to agree with
[conservative House Majority Leader] Dick Armey," writes Hentoff, "that
Ashcroft's Justice Department 'is the biggest threat to personal liberty in
the country.'" BORDC's are popping up everywhere from Anchorage, Alaska to
Broward County, Florida.
For tips on how to find or form a group in your town, visit the BORDC
website.
--Leif Utne
LINKS:
Bill of Rights Defense Committee
http://www.bordc.org
Resistance Rising! True Patriots Networking
Nat Hentoff, Village Voice (November 22, 2002)
http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0248/hentoff.php
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