Resolution No. 29-03
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA IN SUPPORT OF THE US CONSTITUTION AND THE BILL OF RIGHTS
Whereas, the City of Richmond has most ethnically divers population in Contra Costa County, including citizens of other nations, whose contribution to the community are vital to its character and functions, and
Whereas, the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights guarantee to all persons living in the Unites States these fundamental rights: freedom of religion, speech, assembly; protection from unreasonable searches and seizures; due process and equal protection to any person; equality before the law and the presumption in innocence; access to counsel in judicial proceedings; and a fair, speedy and public trial and
Whereas, the USA PATRIOT Act signed by George W. Bush on October 26, 2001, has a number of provisions that undermine these rights and fundamentally alter the nature of our civil liberties and
Whereas, examples of the provisions in the USA PATRIOT Act and related Executive Orders that may violate our constitution and the rights and civil liberties of Richmond residents are as follows:
- Significantly expands the government's ability to access sensitive medical, mental health, financial and educational records about individuals;
- Lowers the burden of proof required to conduct secret searches and telephone and internet surveillance;
- Gives law enforcement expanded authority to obtain library records and prohibits librarians from informing patrons of monitoring or information requests;
- Limits disclosure of public documents and records under the Freedom of Information Act and;
- Gives the US Attorney General the Secretary of State the power to designate domestic groups, including religious and political organizations as ""terrorist organizations"";
- Grants power to the Attorney General to subject citizens of other nations to indefinite detention or deportation even if they have not committed a crime;
- Authorizes eavesdropping communications between lawyers and their clients in federal custody
Whereas, the Department of Justice interpretations of the USA PATRIOT Act and these Executive Orders particularly target Muslims, people of Middle Eastern and South Asian decent and citizens of other nations and thereby encourages racial profiling by law enforcement agencies and hate crimes by individuals in our community and
Whereas, Oakland, Berkely, and other cities across the country have already passed resolutions opposing the USA PATRIOT Act
NOW, THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED, that the City of Richmond affirms its strong opposition to terrorism but also affirms that any efforts to end terrorism not be waged at the expense of the fundamental civil rights and liberties of the people of Richmond and the United States.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, to the extent possible, no City employee or department shall officially assist or voluntarily cooperate with investigations, interrogations or arrest procedures, public or clandestine, that are in violation of the individuals' civil rights or civil liberties as specified by the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council calls upon all private citizens and organizations, including residents, employers, educators and business owners to demonstrate similar respect for civil rights and civil liberties especially but no limited to cooperation with investigations and conditions of employment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be sent to the President of the United States, elected federal representatives, the Governor of California, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland.
I certify that the forgoing resolution was passed and adopted by the Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting thereof held February 25, 2003, by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Bates, Belcher, Bell, Griffin, Penn, Rogers, Viramontes, and Mayor Anderson
Noes: None
Abstentions: None
Absent: None
/s/ Diane Holmes
Clerk of the City of Richmond