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Activism and the Patriot Act
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Sue Ann Martinson, W A M M
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Freedom of speech and the freedom to assemble peaceably are among the many freedoms attacked by PATRIOT I, an act passed shortly after September 11, 2001. Here is a summary from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of some of the restrictions in the PATRIOT act on freedoms previously guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States:
“The [PATRIOT] act creates a broadly defined new crime of ‘domestic terrorism.’ It allows lawful advocacy groups to be labeled ‘terrorist bodies’ and be subject to surveillance, harassment, and criminal action. The act also allows the government to prosecute librarians or keepers of other records if they reveal that the government has requested information from them during the course of an investigation.
“The government can now monitor the activities of religious and political institutions and infiltrate them without any suspicion or proof of criminal activity. This freedom was previously guaranteed under the First Amendment Freedom of Association. This means that any individual can be targeted for government investigation because of the political or activist groups they are involved with or because of the statements that they make at group meetings.
“The act also actively encourages all government officials to resist granting access to government records through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The act also allows the government to conduct secret immigration hearings that have caused the deportation of hundreds of immigrants. Previously, these meetings were open to the public.
“The PATRIOT act ends this year. President Bush and his administration have already made its renewal a top priority. The proposed PATRIOT Act II would be even more egregiously intrusive than the PATRIOT Act I.”
For a detailed listing and discussion of the restrictions under PATRIOT I and for the content of PATRIOT II, go to the American Civil Liberties Union Web site, www.aclu.org.
Locally, dedicated efforts over the last year by the Local Impacts of the War on Terrorism Work Group resulted in the passage of Minneapolis and St. Paul city ordinances to separate the function of city employees (especially the police) from those of immigration services (now under the auspices of Homeland Security). Governor Tim Pawlenty is seeking to overturn these ordinances. If you would like to get involved with local activism to protect civil liberties, please join the WAMM Civil Liberties committee (contact the WAMM office) and/or email Peter Brown of the Local Impacts Work Group. |
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© 2004 Women Against Military Madness. All rights reserved.
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Complete October 2004 Index - click here
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