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Volusia County Council to Consider Resolution Calling for Fixes to the USA Patriot Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, June 8, 2005
Contact:
George Griffin, Chair, ACLU Volusia Chapter, 407-592-6355
DELAND – Local Volusia county activists concerned that the federal government’s fight against terrorism has gone too far will testify on June 16 to urge county commissioners to pass a resolution calling for the repeal of portions of the USA Patriot Act that violate fundamental rights and liberties.
“This resolution movement urging Congress to bring the controversial Patriot Act back in the line with the Constitution is gaining momentum nationwide and it's time for the Volusia County Council to take a stand on behalf of the rights of all its residents," said George Griffin, Chair of the ACLU of Florida’s Volusia Chapter.
On June 16, the County Council of Volusia County will be asked to consider whether to add Volusia County to the growing list of cities and counties that have expressed concern about the loss of fundamental rights and liberties that many believe have been jeopardized by the USA PATRIOT Act and other congressional and executive measures passed in the aftermath of 9-11. Such measures share several anti-civil liberties characteristics, including provisions that erode checks and balances on federal law enforcement and surveillance powers and threaten the American political system’s separation of powers.
The proposed resolution will be presented during the public participation portion of the County Council meeting from 8:30 to 9 a.m. June 16 in the County Council chambers at the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center, 123 W. Indiana Ave., Deland.
The proposed resolution, endorsed by an ad hoc coalition of 12 local organizations, asks the Florida delegation to the Congress to re-examine the Patriot Act and to repeal those portions that are over-reaching and that violate civil rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution. Four states and over 370 counties and cities have passed similar resolutions.
The groups supporting the resolution include the ACLU, the Democratic Party, the Libertarian Party, the Green Party, the Humanist Society, the Ormond Beach UU Church, the Social Justice Committee of the Daytona Beach UU Church, Hope Metropolitan Community Church, the American-Caribbean Children’s Foundation, the Florida Library Association, the NAACP, and the League of Women Voters.
