Hello Minneapolis Folks: The Bill of Rights Defense Committee Resolution passed by a vote of 11 to 2. Voting against the resolution was Council Members Barb Johnson, and Barrett Lane.
I want to thank Council Members, Zimmerman, Schiff, Lilligren, Zerby, Colvin Roy, Johnson Lee, Colvin Roy, Ostrow, Niziolek, Goodman, Samuels. I especially want to thank Council Member Dean Zimmerman for all his hard work helping to build support for the resolution. All of the Council Members that voted for the resolution deserve a big THANK YOU, for standing up for our civil rights durring these difficult times. Minneapolis has now joined over 81 other cities across the country that have spoken out against the unprecedented re-writing of our Bill of Rights and Constitution by the federal government since the attacks of September 11, 2001. A number of anti terrorism measures have been introduced that have caused concern for civil liberties. Critics argue that the USA PATRIOT Act and other anti-terrorism laws and orders give unconstitutionally broad powers, and that these powers could be misused in a discriminatory or repressive manner. Many Americans are unaware of these measures and their implications, which include: The USA PATRIOT Act Effectively eliminates judicial supervision of telephone and Internet surveillance. Gives the Attorney General and the Secretary of State the power to designate domestic groups conducting legitimate activity as "terrorist organizations" Grants the FBI broad access to sensitive medical, mental health, financial, library and educational records about individuals without having to show evidence of a crime, and without a court order. Authorizes the prosecution of the custodian of these records who reveals a knowledge of the search. Allows secret searches of homes and offices, undermining an individual's right to be secure in one's home against unreasonable searches and seizures . Specifically targets foreign nationals and people of Middle Eastern and South Asian descent, and potentially affect anyone in the United States acting and speaking legally in opposing government policy. The Homeland Security Act Allows government officials to probe into all aspects of our private lives without a search warrant, and without proof of criminal wrongdoing. Specifically creates a database on every American, which can record all communications (phone calls, emails and Internet activity), banking transactions, credit card purchases, prescriptions, school records, medical records, employment, and travel records. Undermines the Privacy Act of 1974, which was intended to limit what government agencies could do with personal and private information. Prevents the dissemination of public documents and records under the Freedom of Information Act. Permits the gathering and disclosure of personal information on all American citizens, regardless of whether or not any of those citizens actually committed a crime. Recent Executive and Military Orders, and Justice Department Directives Promote the exchange of sensitive personal information with and among state and local governments and private entities. Establish secret military tribunals for anyone deemed by the Justice Dept. to be an "enemy combatant." Permit the monitoring and wiretapping of conversations between lawyers and federal prisoners, without a court order or supervision. Lift Justice Department regulations against illegal COINTELPRO-type operations by the FBI [covert activities that in the past targeted domestic groups and individuals]. Limit the disclosure of public documents and records under the Freedom of Information Act. Could be used to designate any foreign national as a suspected terrorist, or as aiding terrorists, and be detained, tried, convicted and even executed without a public trial, without adequate access to counsel, without the presumption of innocence or even proof of guilt beyond reasonable doubt, and without the right to appeal. Many of these new powers given to government appear to be in conflict with the United States Constitution, which guarantees all Americans the following rights: The right to be secure in your home with your papers and effects free from unreasonable search and seizure. The right not to be searched without probable cause and a court order stating the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. The right not to be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law. The right to keep private property. It can't be taken for public use without just compensation. The right to a speedy trial. The right to an impartial jury. The right to be confronted by witnesses against you. The right to equal protection under the law. Freedom of speech, to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for redress of grievances. The Minneapolis Bill of Rights Defense Committee thanks the Minneapolis City Council for having the wisdom and courage to speak out against these unprecedented federal changes. Ken Bradley Corcoran Neighborhood 612-728-8962 Home 651-726-7568 Work __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - File online, calculators, forms, and more http://tax.yahoo.com TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
