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Statement: ACLU Deplores SB 2434 - New Florida Law Will Hamper Academic Study of the Countries Which We Most Need to Understand to Help Protect National Security
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
CONTACT:
Brandon Hensler, Communications Director, 305-576-2337, ext 16
MIAMI – Today, Gov. Jeb Bush signed SB 2434 (Relating to Travel to Terrorist States) into law. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida released the following statement:
"This will be another embarrassing mark on Florida’s reputation," said Howard Simon, Executive Director of the ACLU of Florida. “Research on nations that our government labels as 'terrorist' is important – and when the research focuses on the language, economy, politics and religion of these countries, it may even be important for the national security of the United States.
"Not only does the ban on research that the Governor approved today intrude politics into academic research, it may also interfere with the policies of the federal government – as when the federal government supports academic work with non-governmental organizations with the object of facilitating a peaceful transition to democracy," Simon added.
About the ACLU of Florida
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida is freedom's watchdog, working daily in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend individual rights and personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. For additional information, visit our Web site at: www.aclufl.org.
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