Community Resolution for Marblehead, MA

Marblehead Massachusetts Citizen's Resolution

WHEREAS the citizens of the Town of Marblehead have, from the earliest days of our nation, defended our nation and its Constitution with their lives and treasure; and

WHEREAS the Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme law of the land, superceding all state and federal laws, rules, and local ordinances; and

WHEREAS the rights and liberties of the citizens and non-citizens of Marblehead protected by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the United States Constitution and its Bill of rights are threatened by provisions of the USA Patriot Act, which authorize:

Expansion of the government's ability to secretly enter and to conduct searches of the homes and businesses of Marblehead residents when they are absent and without their knowledge;
Law enforcement officials to monitor residents' telephone and internet use and access medical, mental health, library, business, financial, educational, and other records about an individual without evidence of criminal behavior and without court order;
Spying on domestic organizations without evidence of wrongdoing and designation by the Attorney General and the Secretary of State of domestic groups as "terrorist organizations" without evidence of intent to act against the United States of America;
The Attorney General to subject non-citizens to indefinite detention or deportation even if they have not committed a crime;

WHEREAS any infringement on the Constitutional rights of any person is an abuse of power, a breach of the public trust, and beyond the scope of governmental authority;

THEREFORE IT IS RESOLVED that the Town of Marblehead affirms the civil rights guaranteed to all of its citizens and residents by the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town of Marblehead requests that the Massachusetts Congressional delegation monitor the implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act and the associated orders and rules of the executive branch, and actively work for the repeal of those portions of the USA PATRIOT Act and other Acts, orders and rules that violate the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution.

IT IS FINALLY RESOLVED that the Town Clerk communicate this resolution to the Massachusetts Congressional delegation, the Governor and Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Marblehead's Chief of Police, the local U.S. Attorney's office, the local office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Massachusetts State Police.