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Albany, CA City Council Resolution

Document Date: April 23, 2003

RESOLUTION #03-24

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALBANY TO PRESERVE CIVIL LIBERTIES ENDANGERED BY THE USA PATRIOT ACT,

WHEREAS, a crime against humanity occurred on September 11, 2001, when terrorist attacks against the United States resulted in the passage of the USA PATRIOT Act; and

WHEREAS, the City of Albany is concerned with the security of our nation and the protection of the civil rights and liberties enshrined in the Constitution that are the foundation of our democracy; and

WHEREAS, in this time of crisis, it is within the purview of the local governments to take a stand in support of our Bill of Rights because any weakening of those rights threaten the broad range of political expression on the local, state, and federal level vital to the functioning of our democracy; and

WHEREAS, we believe the civil rights and liberties of our constituents and the foundations of our democracy are now threatened by the USA PATRIOT Act; and

WHEREAS, the Albany Library Board has expressed concern with the sections of the USA PATRIOT Act that pertains to libraries, and has requested that the City Council review those sections of the Act, and take a position in opposition to the USA PATRIOT Act; and

WHEREAS, the Albany Library Board has requested that the City Council take a position in support of the ""Freedom to Read Protection Act"" that was recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and which limits the threat to privacy of bookstore and library records created by the USA PATRIOT Act,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

  1. The Albany City Council hereby affirms its strong support for our constitutionally guaranteed rights and liberties, and supports repeal of those sections of the USA PATRIOT Act that pertain to libraries;
  2. The Albany City Council hereby affirms its opposition to any and all federal measures that infringe on the rights and liberties of members of our community, and supports repeal of the USA PATRIOT Act.
  3. The Albany City Council hereby supports proposed federal legislation known as the ""Freedom to Read Protection Act of 2003"", which has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, that would limit the threat to privacy of bookstore and library records created by the USA PATRIOT Act.

/s/ Jewel Okawachi
Jewel Okawachi
Mayor

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