Council of the City of York, PA Session 2003
Resolution No. 42
INTRODUCED BY: TONI SMITH DATE: Feb. 19, 2003
AMENDED BY: WM. LEE SMALLWOOD DATE: Feb. 19, 2003
A Resolution
Upholding the Human Rights of all persons in the City of York, Pennsylvania, and bringing attention to sections of the USA PATRIOT Act, and several Executive Orders at the Federal level, that may threaten the fundamental rights and liberties of citizens.
WHEREAS, the City of York wishes to continue protecting and expanding citizens civil rights and civil liberties; and
WHEREAS, the City of York houses a diverse student and working population, including non- citizens, whose contributions to the community are vital to its character and function; and
WHEREAS, the City of York has with gratitude for their supreme sacrifice memorialized those in the Armed Forces who have died in battle protecting these same cherished rights and liberties; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of York, motivated by the commitment to uphold the human rights of all persons in the City of York and the free exercise and enjoyment of any and all rights and privileges secured by the constitutions and laws of the United States, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the City of York; 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 guaranteed by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States Constitution and its Bill of Rights;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we the City Council of York, Pennsylvania, 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;
2. Federal and State Law Enforcement Officials acting within the City of York wherever and whenever possible, adhere to the principles set forth above and cooperate with the City Police Department in protecting the Civil Rights of all people;
3. 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 that Act and those Orders that violate fundamental rights and liberties as stated in the Constitutions of the Commonwealth and the United States and oppose language in the legislation known commonly as the USA PATRIOT Act II that would further violate fundamental rights and liberties as stated in the Constitutions of the Commonwealth and the United States.
PASSED FINALLY: February 19, 2003 BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE
YEAS: Smallwood, Texter, Bacas, Smith - 4
NAYS: Musso - 1
/s/Mary Anne Bacas, President of Council
ATTEST:
/s/Dianna L. Thompson, City Clerk