On Independence Day, ACLU Notes Cause for Celebration and Concern (7/3/2006)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: media@aclu.org
Statement of Anthony D. Romero, ACLU Executive Director
WASHINGTON - On the Fourth of July 230 years ago, a group of brave Americans
launched a bold experiment in freedom - the United States of America.
Among the reasons they cited for their unprecedented break with the British
Empire was a king who had 'obstructed the Administration of Justice' and
'refused his Assent to Laws' the American colonies had freely passed to assure
their safety and prosperity.
These days, we in America face a presidential administration that insists on
its right to engage in unprecedented and widespread abuses of power. The Bush
White House has consistently ignored the rule of law -- authorizing surveillance
programs that fly in the face of the Constitution and our laws; permitting the
illegal kidnapping of individuals; holding prisoners without trial; allowing and
engineering the torture of detainees; and repeatedly ignoring its duty to
enforce laws passed by Congress.
Despite this disturbing record, America on this Independence Day has reasons
to cheer. In the past month:
- The Supreme Court decisively
repudiated the administration's claim that it can try the Guantánamo detainees
in military tribunals that have no basis in law and that deny defendants due
process of law. As the court's majority opinion stated, 'The executive is bound
to comply with the rule of law.'
- The Senate, by the narrowest possible
margin, rejected a proposed constitutional amendment on flag desecration that
would for the first time ever have narrowed the scope of the First
Amendment.
- The House rejected a move to undermine the Voting Rights Act, the
landmark civil rights law.
- The Senate stopped a constitutional amendment on
marriage that would have written discrimination into the Constitution.
Overall, June was a good month for civil liberties and civil rights.
There is no doubt that the growing voices of concern expressed by members of the
ACLU and our allies helped engender these victories. That
doesn't mean we in the ACLU can rest - not for a moment. We urge our
fellow Americans to demand that our government investigate all of these abuses
of power and stop them. We urge Congress this summer to pass the reauthorization
of the Voting Rights Act to guarantee that all Americans can exercise that most
basic of rights - the right to vote. Americans deserve better from their
president and their Congress.
But, as we celebrate the Fourth here at home, we also take a moment to give
thanks to our members, allies and supporters, and to savor our recent
victories. The spirit of American freedom and independence is burning
again Nothing could be a greater tribute to the founding of this great
nation.
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