July 14, 2005
WHEREAS, the City of Erie affirms its strong opposition to terrorism, but also affirms that any efforts to end terrorism not be waged at the expense of essential civil rights and liberties of the people of Erie, the United States and the World;
WHEREAS, the City of Erie houses a highly diverse population, including citizens from around the world and non-citizens, whose contributions to the community are vital to its character and function; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of Erie, motivated by the commitment to uphold the human rights of all persons in the City of Erie and the free exercise and enjoyment of any and all rights and privileges secured by the constitutions and laws of the United States, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the City of Erie; 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 these fundamental rights and liberties;
Freedom of speech, religion, assembly and privacy;
The rights to counsel and due process in judicial proceedings; and
Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures;
All guaranteed by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States Constitution and its Bill of Rights;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Erie joins communities across the nation in expressing concern that the USA PATRIOT Act threatens civil rights and liberties guaranteed under the United States Constitution.
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Erie remains firmly committed to the protection of civil rights and civil liberties for all people. The City of Erie will completely avoid discrimination in every function of city government, and vigorously uphold the constitutionally protected rights of all persons to peacefully protest and express their political views without any form of governmental interference.
THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that we the City Council of Erie, Pennsylvania, 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;
2. Federal and State Law Enforcement Officials acting within the City of Erie wherever and whenever possible, adhere to the principles set forth above and cooperate with the City Police Department in protecting the Civil Rights of all people;
3. 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 Commonwealth and the United States and oppose language in the legislation known commonly as the USA PATRIOT Act II that would further violate fundamental rights and liberties as stated in the Constitutions of the Commonwealth and the United States.
