April 17, 2004 - The USA Patriot Act Sunset Provisions look to be a likely campaign issue in Election 2004.

February 6, 2004 - New York City Council passed a pro-civil liberties resolution (Resolution 60) urging a narrowing of some of the most egregious portions of the USA PATRIOT Act and affirming support for freedom in the post-9/11 era. See the article Many sign up against PATRIOT Act by WILL SCHEFF for more.

February 5, 2004 - The SAFE Act had largely passed under the radar on Capitol Hill until the Department of Justice confirmed in a letter that the President’s senior advisors will urge its veto if it arrives on his desk.

January 30, 2004 - From the ACLU of Maryland update: "Responding to the White House's veto threats against the bipartisan Security and Freedom Ensured Act, which would surgically tailor certain overbroad Patriot Act provisions, the American Civil Liberties Union this week pointed to the move as proof of the measure's viability on the Hill and criticized the Department of Justice's continuing unwillingness to engage its critics in public and even-keeled debate."

January 26, 2004 - In a ruling handed down late Friday and made available Monday, U.S. District Judge Audrey Collins said the ban on providing "expert advice or assistance" is impermissibly vague, in violation of the First and Fifth Amendments.

October 16, 2003 - Mark Corallo, Director of Public Affairs of the Department of Justice chastised lawmakers who were weak on terrorism, saying "It is important to note that many of those in and out of Congress who now advocate weakening the law, opposed many of the measures in the 1996 Anti-Terrorism Act passed by Congress and signed by then-President Clinton. They believed then that the government already had too much authority to investigate and prevent terrorist activity."

October 15, 2003 - Criminal Enforcement Against Terrorists and Spies in the Year After the 9/11 Attacks

October 14, 2003 - Businesses are dealing with the possible threats of the act by not keeping as much information in order to protect their customers.

September 15, 2003 - The Patriot Act is being used against crimes that have no connection to terrorism.

August 25, 2003 - Protests against the Patriot Act in Boise following the Howard Dean rally there.

August 20, 2003 - John Ashcroft has recently launched a web site defending their case.

June 2, 2003 - The Justice Department clarifies how FBI agents "visit" libraries during investigations.

May 29, 2003 - By a vote of 13-3, Philadelphia City Council joined 115 other local and state governments around the country to call for the repeal of the USA Patriot Act. Introduced by Councilman Angel Ortiz, the resolution called for the Philadelphia Congressional Delegation to vigilantly monitor the implementation of the USA Patriot Act and to actively work to repeal the Act.

April 21, 2003 - Local governments rise in protest . . . May 21, 2003 - Including the Baltimore City Council which passed its own resolution "for the purpose of defending the civil liberties and civil rights of all individuals living in Baltimore City.

On October 17, 2002, the House Judiciary Committee released the Justice Department's answers to 50 questions regarding its use of new surveillance powers granted by the Patriot Act.

Here are some signs to hang up in your library because librarians are no longer allowed to disclose if the FBI has paid a visit. Wired News reports that municipalities across the country are passing resolutions instructing citizens and employees to ignore the federal legislation. Even the New York Times recently covered a story about thousands of librarians gathering to share advice on how to deal with information requests.

Declan noted an article a while back about protective gas masks for every House Member and floor staffer in Congress in Roll Call a few weeks back. If you knew there were gas masks in a readily accessable location where you work, wouldn't you be inclined to pass something like S. 1510 ("The USA Act") too? It's a damn shame. Thanks to Senator Russ Feingold for being the lone voice of reason and last holdout on this bill. At least it can't be called a "unanimous vote" anymore.

Links:

• USA Patriot Act summary
• Analysis of USA PATRIOT Act by CDT and Others
• ACLU Action Center on USA Patriot Act
• Guidelines for Librarians Regarding USA PATRIOT Act

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