Greenburgh, New York
City/Town: Greenburgh
County: Westchester
State:
New York
Congressional Districts: (click to contact each Rep.) 17, 18
Population (2000 Census): 88,764
Date Passed: 01/29/04
Approved by: Greenburgh Town Council
WHEREAS, following the attacks on America on September 11, 2001 the Congress passed USA Patriot Act (PLI07-56) on October 26, 2001: and
WHEREAS, the Town of Greenburgh affirms its commitment to the protection of civil rights and liberties for all people as expressed in the United States and the New York State Constitutions; and
WHEREAS, many people throughout the Town of Greenburgh are concerned that certain provisions of the Patriot Act threaten civil rights and liberties guaranteed under the United States Constitution; and
WHEREAS, Patriot Act provisions may be used to investigate people for non-terrorist related activities. Under the Patriot Act the government may collect information on educational, medical, financial, sales, and library records on citizens without a warrant and without probable cause and
WHEREAS, libraries are a critical force for promoting the free flow and unimpeded distribution of knowledge and information for individuals, institutions, and communities; and
WHEREAS, these new federal laws and policies disproportionately affect individuals who cannot afford or otherwise do not own their own equipment and must rely on public access computers in libraries; and
WHEREAS, privacy is essential to the exercise of free speech, free thought and free association and the subject of library users’ interests should not be examined or scrutinized by others; and
WHEREAS, indefinite incarceration based on mere suspicion without probable cause, without charges and without access to legal counsel undermines fundamental rights and does damage to American institutions and values which the residents of the Town of Greenburgh hold dear; and
WHEREAS, federal., state and local governments should protect the public from terrorist attacks but should do so in a fashion to ensure that any new security measure enhances public safety without impairing constitutional rights or infringing civil liberties; and
WHEREAS, Americans will be safer with less imposition on civil liberties by enhancing security at high-risk operations such as Indian Point; and
WHEREAS, the Greenburgh Town Board believes there is no inherent conflict between national security and the preservation of liberty; Americans can be both safe and free: and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, The Greenburgh Town Board urges The United States Congress to review and pass amendments to those portions of The Patriot Act which restrict or infringe various civil rights and liberties recognized and guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and to preserve current measures which provide judicial review and require probable cause for the use of warrants, subpoenas, telephone monitoring devices and all other methods of collecting confidential information about individuals; and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk hereby be authorized and directed to send a copy of this resolution to the Hon. George W. Bush, President of the United States; Hon. John Ashcroft, United States Attorney General; Hon. Hillary Clinton and Hon. Charles Schumer, United States Senators, Hon. Eliot Engel and Hon. Nita Lowey, members of the United Slates House of Representatives; the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate and House of Representatives; and to such other persons as the Clerk, in her discretion may deem proper in order to effectuate the purpose of this resolution.
All Present voting aye, nays none, resolution adopted. 1/28/04
Community Group / Coalition: NY Civil Liberties Union - Lower Hudson Valley
Contact Information:
Linda Berns
297 Knollwood Road
White Plains , NY 10607
914-997-7479
info@nyclulhv.org
Additional Info:
http://www.nyjournalnews.com/newsroom/013004/b04w30patriot.html