CIVLIB.yourconcerns

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Recent actions by the U.S. government in response to the terrorist attack of 9-11 are creating major concerns about loss of civil liberties. Do you agree with Ben Franklin that "He who trades liberty for security will have neither" Do you believe that it is necessary to trade in our fundamental rights and liberties - those so important to the Founding Fathers that they claimed them 'inalienable' and created the first ten amendements to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, to indicate that they should neither be abridged or denied - in order to achieve security? | We believe that serious and open dialog is necessary to address the issue of trading liberty for security. We ask that you use these and all other comments pages on this site to express yourself, but to maintain a respectful and open attitude toward others' opinions. Backing up your words with weblinks to media reports, quotes, data, and studies is highly appreciated. Freedom of speech is central to our democracy - let's use it and not abuse it.

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Participant Comments follow below

Please add my name. Amy Pearson amylanm@earthlink.net 08/27/02 01:27:11 GMT

Valerie -- Here's a suggested first draft of a Santa Fe City Council Resolution on Defense of Civil Liberties, as per the mtg. last night. -- Kathy and Bill Christison ----------- 1st Rough Draft Proposal Santa Fe City Council Resolution on Defense of Civil Liberties Whereas, the City of Santa Fe has a long and distinguished history of protecting and expanding civil rights and civil liberties, often being a beacon for our country's citizens when liberties are threatened; and Whereas, several acts and orders recently enacted at the Federal level, including sections of the USA PATRIOT Act and several Executive Orders, now threaten the fundamental rights and liberties of our citizens: Therefore, we the City Council of Santa Fe, New Mexico, acting in the spirit and history of our community, do hereby request that: 1. Local law enforcement continue to preserve residents’ freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and privacy; rights to counsel and due process in judicial proceedings; and protection from unreasonable searches and seizures even if requested or authorized to infringe upon these rights by Federal law enforcement acting under new powers granted by the USA PATRIOT Act or orders of the Executive Branch; 2. Federal and State law enforcement officials acting within the City work in accordance with the policies of the Santa Fe Police Department, and in cooperation with the Department, by not engaging in or permitting detentions without charges or racial profiling in law enforcement; 3. All Federal and State police and investigative authorities working within Santa Fe, including but not limited to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and New Mexico State Police, report to the City Council regularly and publicly the extent to and manner in which they have acted under the USA PATRIOT Act, new Executive Orders, or COINTELPRO-type regulations, including disclosing the names of any detainees held in northern New Mexico or any Santa Fe residents detained elsewhere; 4. Our United States Congressman and Senators monitor the implementation of the Act and Orders cited herein and actively work for the repeal of the parts of that Act and those Orders that violate fundamental rights and liberties as stated in the Constitutions of the State and the United States. Kathy and Bill Christison kathy.bill@christison-santafe.com 08/10/02 15:04:36 GMT