Community Resolution for Alameda County, CA

R-2004-371
RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AMENDMENTS
TO THE “”USA PATRIOT ACT””
AND FOR THE PROTECTION OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES

WHEREAS, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors is unwavering in its opposition to terrorism; and

WHEREAS, each member of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors has sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States and its guarantee of the fundamental civil rights and liberties of the people of Alameda County, and further affirms its absolute opposition to any weakening of those rights and liberties, whether by terrorism or by unconstitutional laws and policies; and

WHEREAS, certain provisions of the USA PATRIOT (United and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism) Act appear to violate the Amendments to the Constitution which form the Bill of Rights, and these provisions and other legislation and executive actions degrade civil rights by permitting, among other injustices, secret searches and electronic eavesdropping without showing of probable cause; seizures of business, library, and educational institution records without notifying the subject of the search; indefinite, secret detentions and persecution of entire communities based on racial profiling of Muslims, Arabs, and South Asians.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors calls upon the Congress of the United States to:

REPEAL all sections of the USA PATRIOT Act and related legislation that violate civil rights and liberties enumerated in the Constitution of the United States, including those sections that authorize search and seizure without show of probable cause and without notification of the subject of those searches; that permit indefinite and coorot detention of suspects: that permit use of secret (undisclosed) evidence in “”removals”” (deportations); and

REQUIRE the President and Attorney General to promptly identify every detainee in the U.S. and abroad, to afford each detainee access to counsel, and follow due process by speedily charging or releasing every detainee; and

STRONGLY OPPOSE any legislation, present or future, that could further diminish civil rights and liberties and authorize injustices unbecoming of the United States of America.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors calls upon all private citizens and organizations, residents, employers, educators, and business owners to demonstrate full respect for civil rights and liberties; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be sent to the President of the United States, to the California Congressional Delegation, and to the Governor of California.

Approved as to Form
RICHARD E. WINNIE, County Counsel