Eastham, MA Community Resolution

The following resolution was passed at the Town of Eastham Annual Meeting on May 5, 2003:

Resolution

Whereas, the Town of Eastham has a long and distinguished history of protecting and expanding civil rights and civil liberties, and

Whereas, the Town of Eastham houses a diverse population, both year round and summer, including non-citizens, whose contributions to the community are vital to its character and its function, and

Whereas, the Town of Eastham, committed to uphold the human rights of all persons in Eastham and the free exercise and enjoyment of any and all rights and privileges secured by our constitutions and laws of the United States, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and

Whereas, several acts and orders recently enacted at the Federal level, including sections of the USA PATRIOT Act and several Executive Orders, now threaten these fundamental rights and liberties:

Freedom of speech, religion, assembly and privacy;

The Rights to counsel and due process in judicial proceedings; and

Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures;

All being rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the United States Constitution and its Bill of Rights;

Therefore, we concerned citizens of the Town of Eastham, acting in the spirit and history of our community, do hereby request that:

1. Local law enforcement continue to preserve residents' freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and privacy; rights 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 or orders of the Executive Branch; further, that the preservation of said rights shall equally be incumbent on Federal and state law officials acting within the Town of Eastham; and further that the names and whereabouts so any resident detained under provisions of the PATRIOT Act must be disclosed.
2. Our United States Congressman and Senators monitor the implementation of the Act and Orders cited herein and actively work for the repeal of the parts of the Act and those Orders that violate fundamental rights and liberties as stated in the Constitutions of the Commonwealth of the United States.

Passed.