Community Resolution of Carrboro, NC

A RESOLUTION REGARDING THE USA PATRIOT ACT AND THE PROTECTION OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES

Resolution No. 186/2001-02 (Passed unanimously on June 25, 2002 by the Aldermen of Carrboro, NC)

WHEREAS, the Town of Carrboro has a long and distinguished history of protecting and expanding the civil rights and civil liberties of its residents; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Carrboro houses a diverse population, including students, working people, and non-citizens, whose contributions to the community are vital to its character and function; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Aldermen of the Town of Carrboro is committed to upholding the human rights of all persons in Carrboro and their free exercise and enjoyment of any and all rights and privileges secured by our constitutions and the laws of the United States, the State of North Carolina, and the Town of Carrboro; and

WHEREAS, several actions recently taken by the federal government, including the adoption of sections of the USA Patriot Act and several Executive Orders now threaten these fundamental rights and liberties, including: freedom of speech, religion, assembly and privacy; the right to counsel and due process in judicial proceedings; and protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, all of which are guaranteed by the Constitutions of North Carolina and the United States.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE TOWN OF CARRBORO:

Section 1. That the Town of Carrboro, acting in the spirit and history of our community, hereby requests that:

Local law enforcement continue to preserve 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, even if requested or authorized to infringe upon these rights by federal law enforcement acting under new powers granted by the USA Patriot Act of Orders of the Executive Branch.

Any federal or state law enforcement officials acting within the Town of Carrboro work in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Carrboro Police Department, and in cooperation with the Department, and not engage in or permit detentions without charges or racial profiling, and to regularly and publicly report to the Town the extent and manner in which they have acted under the Act or the new Executive Orders, including the names of any detainees held in the region or any Carrboro residents detained elsewhere.

Our congressional delegation monitor the implementation of the Act and Orders cited herein and actively work for the repeal of those portions of the Act and those Orders that violate fundamental rights and liberties guaranteed by the United States and North Carolina Constitutions.

Section 2. This resolution shall become effective upon adoption.

The foregoing resolution having been submitted to a vote, received the following vote and was duly adopted this 25th day of June, 2002:

Ayes: Joal Hall Broun, Mark Dorosin, Jacquelyn Gist, John Herrera, Diana McDuffee, Michael Nelson, Alex Zaffron

Noes: None

Absent or Excused: None