Resolution to Defend the Civil Rights and Liberties of the People of Yolo County
WHEREAS, the County of Yolo recognizes the Constitution of the United States of America to be the supreme law of the land, superseding all administrative rules, local ordinances, state statutes and federal laws; and
WHEREAS, the County of Yolo affirms its strong opposition to any form of terrorism against humanity, but also affirms that any efforts to end terrorism must not be waged at the expense of the civil rights and liberties of the people of Yolo County, the United States, or the people of the world; and
WHEREAS, certain provisions of the USA Patriot Act expand authority and might infringe on the rights of individual citizens of Yolo County, by detaining citizens and non-citizens and engaging in surveillance which could threaten the civil rights and liberties guaranteed under the United States Constitution; and
WHEREAS, the County of Yolo and its departments are firmly committed to ensuring and upholding the values of creating and nurturing diversity for all the citizens of Yolo County, and preventing any type of unlawful discrimination upon its inhabitants; and
WHEREAS, the County of Yolo proudly houses a diverse population, including citizens from other nations, whose contributions to the community are significant and important to all; and
WHEREAS, all elected officials of Yolo County are sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America in discharging their duties; and
WHEREAS, the First Amendment of the United States Constitution states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances; and
WHEREAS, the Fourth Amendment states that the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probably cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized; and the Fifth Amendment states, in part, that no person ""shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself""; and
WHEREAS, the Sixth Amendment states that in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense; and
WHEREAS, the Eighth Amendment states that excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted; and the Fourteenth Amendment states that no state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Yolo County Board of Supervisors affirms the rights of all its people and that no county employee shall be a part of unlawful profiling based on race, ethnicity, citizenship, religion, or political values; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Yolo County Board of Supervisors will continue in its outreach and shall educate its citizens on its policies of tolerance and respect for the diversity of its residents; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Yolo County Board of Supervisors does direct the Clerk of the Board to transmit this resolution to all county departments, the courts, the Governor and the Attorney General of the State of California, to all members of the California Congressional delegation, the United States Attorney General, and the President of the United States of America.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 28th day of January, 2003 by the following vote: