RESOLUTION
PREAMBLE
The citizens of Davidson believe that respect for Constitutional rights and liberties strengthen our democracy and national unity. Conversely, undermining basic Constitutional rights and liberties could risk destroying freedom in order to save it.
This resolution is not intended to inhibit or prevent the apprehension, trial, or convictions of people who have carried out or planned attacks against the United States or any other country. We believe, however, that we are still a nation based on laws and that a threat to any one person's Constitutional rights and liberties is a threat to us all.
This resolution places the Town of Davidson on record in support of Constitutional rights and liberties for all its residents, regardless of religion, age gender, race, ethnicity, or place of national origin. It calls upon all its citizens to continue respecting those rights.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS the Declaration of Independence of the United States holds as self-evident that all people are created equal and are endowed with the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and
WHEREAS, the Constitutions of the United States and of North Carolina guarantee all citizens their traditional rights and liberties including freedom of religion, speech, assembly and privacy; protection from unreasonable searches and seizures; due process and equal protection to any person equality before the law and presumption of innocence; access to counsel in judicial proceedings, and a fair, speedy and public trial; and
WHEREAS the USA PATRIOT Act contains provisions that may compromise the aforementioned rights and liberties and which could alter the nature of our Constitutional rights and liberties; and
WHEREAS the Town of Davidson 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 Commissioners of the Town of Davidson is committed to upholding the Constitutional rights and liberties of all persons in Davidson and their free exercise and enjoyment of any and all rights and liberties secured by the Constitutions and laws of the United States, the State of North Carolina, and the Town of Davidson;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Davidson affirms its strong opposition to terrorism, but also affirms that any efforts to end terrorism not be waged at the expense of the Constitutional rights and liberties of the citizens of Davidson or of the citizens of other nations living within our Town; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Davidson Town Board calls upon its municipal employees and all private citizens-including residents, employers, educators, and business owners-to continue demonstrating respect for Constitutional rights and liberties; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that local law enforcement continue to recognize and respect residents' freedom of speech, religion, assembly and privacy; the right to counsel and due process in judicial proceedings; the protection from unreasonable searches and seizures; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town of Davidson calls on our United States Senators and Representatives to monitor the implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act and Orders of the Executive Branch and actively review and work for the repeal or revision of those sections of the Act and those Orders that may violate fundamental rights and liberties as stated in the United States Constitution and its Amendments.