American Civil Liberties Union : Community Resolution for Fairbanks North Star Borough

There has never been a more urgent need to preserve fundamental privacy protections and our system of checks and balances than the need we face today, as illegal government spying, provisions of the Patriot Act and government-sponsored torture programs transcend the bounds of law and our most treasured values in the name of national security.

Community Resolution for Fairbanks North Star Borough (3/25/2004)

FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR BOROUGH

RESOLUTION NO.2004-25

A RESOLUTION TO REAFFIRM THE PRINCIPLE OF OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES

WHEREAS, the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) believes there is no inherent conflict between national security and the preservation of liberty and affirms its strong support of the right of Americans to be both safe and free; and

WHEREAS, the FNSB recognizes the Constitution of the United States as our nation's charter of liberty and that the Bill of Rights enshrines the fundamental and inalienable rights of America, including the freedoms of speech, religion, assembly and privacy; and

            WHEREAS, the act entitled ""Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required To Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism"" (called ""USA PATRIOT Act"") contains several provisions that reduce freedoms guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and adds to Executive Branch powers at the expense of the Legislative and Judicial Branches; and

            WHEREAS, Congress has passed additional legislation, beyond the Patriot Act and the Homeland Security Act, to curb our civil rights. HR 2417 Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004, passed the Senate and House and allows: the FBI to demand records from a number of businesses, without the approval of a judge or grand jury; enhances the use of ""national security letters"" by expanding the definition of ""financial institution"" to include the US Post Office, travel agencies, car dealers, and
other businesses whose ""cash transactions have a high degree of usefulness in criminal, tax, or regulatory matters""; and

            WHEREAS, our citizens' rights are violated because there is a ""gag order"" provision on ""national security letters"" which prevents reporting by the FBI, Justice Department or the businesses that are required to turn over their records, to the
individual or group being investigated or to attorneys or anyone else; and

            WHEREAS, the FNSB supports the National League of Cities Resolution #2004.37, a Resolution Affirming the Principles of Federalism and Civil Liberties, passed in December 2003.

Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska

RESOLUTION NO. 2004-25

IN THIS SECTION

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