Community Resolution for Milton, MA

ARTICLE 55. To see if the Town will vote to approve the following resolution and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to petition federal and state officials in accord with the resolution's provisions:

A Resolution Affirming Civil Rights and Liberties

WHEREAS the Town of Milton was the location in 1774 for the signing of the Suffolk Resolves, which denounced the ""Intolerable Acts"" of the British Parliament and which resolved to maintain, defend and preserve civil rights and liberties; and

WHEREAS the Town of Milton comprises a diverse population including the descendents of people from many nations, new immigrants and people of color, students and non-citizens whose contributions to the community provide value, vitality and character to the Town; and

WHEREAS the Constitution of the United States is our charter of liberty and guarantees certain rights to people living in the United States, including but not limited to:

• Freedom of speech, assembly and privacy;
• Equality before the law and the presumption of innocence;
• Access to counsel and due process in judicial proceedings;
• Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures; and

WHEREAS the Town of Milton understands that the preservation of these liberties is essential to the well-being of a democratic society, that there is no inherent conflict between national security and the preservation of liberty, and that government can protect public safety without impairing civil rights and liberties;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that:

1. The Town of Milton and its elected and appointed officials and employees will continue to protect and preserve all residents' freedom of speech, religion, assembly and privacy; the right to counsel and due process in judicial proceedings and protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, without regard to race, ethnicity or legal immigration status.
2. The Town of Milton urges our State Representatives and Senators and United States Representatives and Senators to monitor the continuing implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act, Homeland Security Act and related executive orders; to actively work for repeal of any parts of those Acts and executive orders that violate fundamental rights and liberties; and to actively oppose any future proposed legislation or executive orders that similarly threaten Constitutional rights and liberties;
3. Copies of this resolution shall be sent to the President of the United States, the Attorney General of the United States, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, the Governor of Massachusetts, to each member of the Massachusetts delegation in Congress, and to each member of the Milton delegation in the Massachusetts General Court.