Bill of Rights Defense Campaign

BILL OF RIGHTS Defense Committee - Working with communities to uphold the Bill of RightsWe the People
Working with communities to uphold the Bill of Rights
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Alameda County, California

County: Alameda
State: California
Congressional Districts: (click to contact each Rep.) 9, 10, 11, 13

Population (2000 Census): 1,443,741
Date Passed: 03/16/04

Resolution Calling For Amendments to the "USA PATRIOT Act" and for the Protection of Civil Rights and Liberties: R-2004-371

Approved by: Alameda County Commission

WHEREAS, the Alameda County board of Supervisors is unwavering in its opposition to terrorism; and

WHEREAS, each member of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors has sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution of the Untied states and its guarantee of the fundamental civil rights and liberties of the people of Alameda County, and further affirms its absolute opposition to any weakening o f those rights and liberties, whether by terrorism or by unconstitutional laws and policies; and

WHEREAS, certain provisions of the USA PATRIOT (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism) Act appear to violate the Amendments to the Constitution which form the Bill of Rights, and theses provisions and other legislation and executive actions degrade civil rights by permitting, among other injustices, secret searches and electronic eaves dropping without showing probable cause, seizures of business, library, and educational institution records without notifying the subject of the search indefinite secret detentions and persecution of entire communities based on racial profiling of Muslim, Arabs and South Asians.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors calls upon the Congress of the United States to:

REPEAL all section of the USA PATRIOT Act and related legislation that violate civil rights and liberties enumerated in the Constitution of the United States, including those sections that authorize search and seizure without show of probably cause and without notification of the subject of those searches that permit indefinite and secret detention of suspects; that permit use of secret (undisclosed) evidence in “removals” (deportations); and

REQUIRE the President and Attorney General to promptly identify every detainee in the U.S. and abroad, to afford each detainee access to counsel, and follow due process by speedily charging or releasing every detainee; and

STRONGLY OPPOSE any legislation, present or future that could further diminish civil rights and liberties and authorize injustices unbecoming o f the United States of America

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors calls upon all private citizens and organizations, residents, employers, educators, and business owners to demonstrate full respect for civil rights and liberties; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be sent to the President of the United States, to the California Congressional Delegation, and to the Governor of California.

 

Community Group / Coalition: South Alameda County Peace and Justice Coalition