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ACLU and CAIR Launch Hotline To Assist Individuals Questioned in
Federal Terrorism Investigation
December 8, 2001
MIAMI ? The Florida affiliates of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will launch a toll-free hotline to provide legal assistance to individuals who have been contacted by law enforcement for questioning related to the September 11th terrorist attacks.
Through the toll-free hotline, which will begin operating on Sunday, December 9, the ACLU and CAIR will provide legal assistance, including attorney referrals and translators, for individuals who have been asked to consent to "voluntary" interviews by law enforcement agencies collecting information about the attacks of September 11th.
Individuals calling the hotline, 1-888-597-4909, ext. 17, can receive assistance 24-hours a day.
"We hope anyone who has information about the horrific events of September 11th would cooperate fully with authorities, " said Howard Simon, Executive Director of the ACLU of Florida. "Our concern, however, is that this dragnet investigation involves questioning by police of individuals who federal officials acknowledge are not suspected of any wrongdoing."
"We are urging anyone contacted by the FDLE or other law enforcement agencies to seek legal help before consenting to any interviews so that they do not become innocent victims caught up in a massive government investigation," added Simon.
The ACLU of Florida is also distributing brochures in English, Spanish and Arabic advising people about their rights when stopped or questioned by the FBI, police or INS officials. The pamphlets ? entitled, "Know Your Rights What to Do If You're Stopped by the Police, the FBI, the INS or the Customs Service" ? answer the vast majority of questions that have been raised about stops, questioning, searches, and the rights of non-citizens. They can be obtained by writing to: Alessandra Soler, Public Education Director, ACLU of Florida, 4500 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 340, Miami, Florida 33137.
Or the brochures can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat/PDF format by visiting the following addresses:
- English: http://www.aclu.org/library/know_your_rights.pdf
- Spanish: http://www.aclu.org/library/know_your_rights_sp.pdf
- Arabic: http://www.aclu.org/library/know_your_rights_ar.pdf
- For more on the ACLU and national security issues, click here.
