City of Durham, North Carolina Bill of Rights Day Proclamation
December 17, 2007
Whereas, the City of Durham is committed to the human rights of its residents and to actions that both protect and preserve those rights; and
Whereas, the City of Durham respects and recognizes the civil rights and liberties guaranteed to all by the Bill of Rights; and
Whereas, the City of Durham upholds the civil rights and liberties of all people in Durham and their free exercise and enjoyment of all rights and privileges secured by the Constitutions and the laws of the State of North Carolina and the United States; and
Whereas, those rights include: freedom of religion, of speech, of press, and of association, the right to disagree with governmental policies; the right to privacy within one's own home, free of searches and seizures in the absence of probable cause or specific evidence of criminal behavior; the right to humane treatment in all circumstances, including when arrested or jailed; the right, if arrested, to be told the charges brought against one and to legally contest one's detention (habeas corpus), to access to legal counsel, and to a fair and speedy trial; and the right to be protected from cruel and unusual punishment; and
Whereas, the Bill of Rights Defense Resolution adopted by the Durham City Council on October 20, 2003, shall be reaffirmed.
Now, therefore, be it resolved that we, the Mayor of Durham and all members of the Durham City Council, do hereby reaffirm our support of the Bill of Rights, and of the civil rights and liberties it guarantees to all residents of the City of Durham.
This the 17th day of December, 2007,
(signed by the Mayor and the City Clerk)