USA PATRIOT Act – Action in Local Communities
October 2, 2003
The Issue at Hand
Eight days after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks,
the Bush Administration sent draft counter-terrorism legislation,
the USA PATRIOT Act, to Congress and pressed for its immediate
passage. Many members of Congress voted for the legislation
without having a chance to read it carefully.
The Bush Administration has used the USA PATRIOT Act to:
- Set up telephone wiretaps and Internet surveillance
with minimal judicial supervision
- Conduct secret searches
- Deport any non-citizen who belongs
to a domestic group that they have designated as a terrorist
organization
- Detain individuals and prevent them from
communicating with their family members and attorneys
NASW members have contacted the national office about
their concerns regarding the USA PATRIOT Act. According
to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), resolutions
have been passed in 178 communities in 32 states including
three statewide resolutions. These communities represent
approximately 21 million people who oppose sections of
the USA
PATRIOT Act. The resolutions are being sent to
congressional delegations and will undoubtedly influence
decisions regarding the USA PATRIOT Act II —drafted
by the Department of Justice, but not yet submitted to
Congress — as
well as reauthorization of the USA PATRIOT Act. Action Needed NASW encourages interested individuals
and chapters to contact their local ACLU office to get involved
in or stimulate development of resolutions in their state
or local governments. For local contact information and information
about the ACLU’s activities regarding Community Resolutions,
please visit www.aclu.org and follow links to the USA PATRIOT
Act. For more information, please contact
Dina L. Zarrella, NASW Senior Field Organizer, at dzarrella@naswdc.org or (202) 336-8218
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