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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Durham County (North Carolina) Bill of Rights Proclamation

December 10, 2007

Whereas, Durham County Government is committed to the human rights of its residents and to actions that both protect and preserve those rights; and

Whereas, Durham County respects and recognizes the civil rights and liberties guaranteed to all by the Bill of Rights; and

Whereas, Durham County upholds the civil rights and liberties of all people in Durham County 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 County Board of Commissioners on September 22, 2003, shall be reaffirmed.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that we, the members of the Durham County Board of County Commissioners, do hereby reaffirm our support of the Bill of Rights, and of the civil rights and liberties it guarantees to all residents of Durham County.

This the 10th day of December, 2007,
(signed by all five County Commissioners)