Debating the Justice Department
In August 2003, Attorney General John Ashcroft directed the United States Attorneys around the country to lobby for and defend the Patriot Act and related legislation. As a result:
- U.S. Attorneys all over the country have held public forums defending the legislation.
- U.S. Attorney Michael J. Sullivan of Massachusetts sent a letter defending the USA PATRIOT Act to every city council, town select board, and police chief in the Commonwealth.
- The Justice Department launched its new website defending the Patriot Act, www.lifeandliberty.gov.
Prepare yourself with these tools to stand up to the Justice Department publicly and dispell their myths.
- Responses from the Center for Democracy and Technology and Z Magazine to Department of Justice's defense of Patriot Act.
- Chip Pitts' response to claims made by a U.S. Attorney about the Patriot Act, Seeking Truth From Justice.
- People for the American Way's report on President Bush's misrepresentation of the Patriot Act
- BORDC's suggestions to Massachusetts community-based organizations responding to the U.S. Attorney Sullivan's letter.
- Senator Patrick Leahy's statement at the June 8 U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary Hearing, which includes a laundry list of critiques of John Ashcroft and the Department of Justice.