Resolution No. 02-2825
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD RECOGNIZING PROVISIONS OF THE USA PATRIOT ACT AND REASSURING WEST HOLLYWOOD RESIDENTS THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUAL CIVIL LIBERTIES.
WHEREAS, the City of West Hollywood is proud of its long and distinguished tradition of protecting the civil rights and liberties of its residents including immigrants and students, whose contributions are vital to the community; and
WHEREAS, the City of West Hollywood feels the public should be protected from terrorist attacks such as those that occurred on September 11, 2001, but should do so in a manner that does not violate the democratic values of liberty; and
WHEREAS, federal policies adopted since September 11, 2001, including provision in the USA PATRIOT ACT and related executive orders, regulations, and actions pose a threat to the civil liberties of individuals that are thought to be precarious merely for their race, origin, or religion; and
WHEREAS, the USA PATRIOT ACT includes provisions such as incarceration of non-citizens based on suspicion and indefinite incarceration of citizens designated by President Bush as ""enemy combatants"" without proper access to counsel or meaningful recourse to the federal courts; and
WHEREAS, the USA PATRIOT ACT limits authority of federal courts and grants law enforcement and intelligence agencies broad access to personal medical, financial, library, and educational records, electronic surveillance, and ""black bag"" searches in which the subject of the searches in unaware that his property is being searched; and
WHEREAS, the USA PATRIOT ACT permits the FBI to conduct surveillance of religious services, internet chat rooms, political demonstrations, and other public meetings without having any evidence that a crime has been or may be committed; and
WHEREAS, the USA PATRIOT ACT drives a wedge between immigrant communities and the police that protect them by encouraging involvement of state and local police in enforcement of federal immigration law:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of West Hollywood affirms its strong support for the fundamental constitutional rights and its opposition to federal measures that infringe on civil liberties and single out individuals for legal scrutiny based on their country of origin or religious beliefs.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of West Hollywood at a regular meeting held this 21st day of January, 2003 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember: Duran, Heilman, Trang, Mayor Pro Tempore Martin and Mayor Guarriello
NOES: Councilmember:
ABSENT: Councilmember:
ABSTAIN: Councilmember: