Community Resolution for Columbia, SC

Approved by: Columbia City Council

Whereas, the City of Columbia has a long and distinguished history of protecting and expanding civil rights and civil liberties as set forth in the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights especially:

• Freedom of speech, assembly and privacy;
• The rights to counsel and due process in judicial proceedings; and
• Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures;

Whereas, the City of Columbia houses a diverse student and working population, including non-citizens, whose contributions to the community are vital to its character and functions;

Whereas, the City of Columbia 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;

Whereas, the City of Columbia is motivated to protect the human rights of all persons in Columbia and the free exercise and enjoyment of any and all rights and privileges secured by our constitutions and laws of the United States, the State of South Carolina, and the City of Columbia;

Whereas, the City of Columbia believes there is no inherent conflict between national security and the preservation of liberty, and affirms its strong support of the right of Americans to be both safe and free;

Whereas, several acts and orders enacted at the Federal level, including sections of the USA PATRIOT Act, threaten these fundamental rights and liberties;

Whereas, nearly 400 cities and 4 states and the National League of Cities, have adopted resolutions criticizing the violations of the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights as well as State Constitutions posed by the USA PATRIOT Act and related Federal Orders; and

Therefore, we the City of Columbia, acting in the spirit and history of our community do hereby request that

1. Local law enforcement and city employees 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 in accordance with their solemn oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitutions of South Carolina and the United States of America;

2. Federal and state law enforcement officials acting within the City work in accordance with the policies of the Columbia Police Department, and in cooperation with the Department, by not engaging in or permitting detentions without charges or racial profiling in law enforcement;

3. A mechanism will be set up to report regularly and publicly the extent to and manner in which our city has been affected by the USA PATRIOT Act, new Executive Orders, or COINTELPRO-type regulations, including disclosing the names of any detainees held in Columbia or any Columbia residents detained elsewhere.