Robbinsdale, MN Resolution

RESOLUTION TO DEFEND THE BILL OF RIGHTS

WHEREAS, the City of Robbinsdale has a diverse population, including citizens of other nations whose contributions to the community are vital to its character and function; and

WHEREAS, the United States Constitution guarantees all persons living in the United States fundamental rights 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 the presumption of innocence; access to council in judicial proceedings; and a fair, speedy and public trial; and,

WHEREAS, THE USA PATRIOT Act signed by President George W. Bush on October 26, 2001 has a number of provisions that may contradict the above mentioned inalienable rights and may fundamentally alter the nature of our civil liberties while doing little to increase public safety; and

WHEREAS, examples of the provisions of the USA PATROIT Act and Executive Orders that may violate the Constitution and the rights and civil liberties of Robbinsdale residents are as follows:

• May expand the government's ability to access sensitive medical, mental health, financial and educational records about individuals, and lower the burden of proof required to conduct secret searches and telephone and internet surveillance.
• May give the Attorney General and the Secretary of State the power to designate domestic groups, including religious and political organizations as terrorist organizations.
• May grant power to the Attorney General to subject citizens of other nations to indefinite detention or deportation even if they have not committed a crime.
• May authorize eavesdropping of confidential communications between attorneys and their clients in federal custody.
• May limit disclosure of public documents and records under the Freedom of Information Act; and

WHEREAS, Department of Justice interpretations of the Act and Executive Orders could particularly target Muslims, persons of Middle Eastern and South Asian descent and citizens of other nations, and thereby encourage racial profiling.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROBBINSDALE, MINNESOTA: that the City of Robbinsdale 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 Robbinsdale, the United States and other countries; and that the City of Robbinsdale affirms the rights of all people, including United States citizens and citizens of other nations, living within the City in accordance with the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. To the extent legally 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 individuals' civil rights or civil liberties as specified in the United States Constitution. The City of Robbinsdale calls upon all private citizens and organizations, including residents, employers, educators, and business owners, to demonstrate similar respect for civil liberties, especially but not limited to conditions of employment and cooperation with investigations.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Robbinsdale calls upon its United States Representative and Senators to monitor the implementation of the Act and Orders cited herein and actively work for the repeal of the Act and those Orders that violate fundamental rights and liberties as stated in the United States Constitution and its Amendments.

The question was on the adoption of the resolution and upon a vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: McCollor, Mathias, Zagaros, Blonigan, Mayor Holtz

and the following voted against the same: none

WHEREUPON SAID RESOLUTION WAS DECLARED DULY PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 21st DAY OF OCTOBER 2003.