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Civil disobedience label terrorism { October 2 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-nor.patriot5oct02,0,6196274.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlinesThe act also has expanded the definition of domestic terrorism to include national organizations, she said. Some groups that engage in forms of civil disobedience could be included under that label, and people associated with those groups could be open to investigation.
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-nor.patriot5oct02,0,6196274.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines
Civil liberties leader questions the Patriot Act
By Lisa Chamoff
Staff Writer
October 2, 2003
NORWALK -- The executive director of the Connecticut Civil Liberties Union encouraged an audience last night to speak up about the USA Patriot Act and its effect on civil liberties.
During a talk sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Norwalk, Teresa Younger went over the law, passed a month after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to expand the reach of law enforcement agents when gathering intelligence.
Younger said the law doesn't need to be repealed, but she said many provisions of it appear to violate privacy and skirt many of the due process rights granted by the Constitution.
"People need to understand how the Patriot Act is being used," Younger said. "In actuality, it's being used against you and I. People who are activists, questioning, verbal."
She said the 131-page law was passed hastily, without sufficient debate in Congress and during a sensitive time.
"Emotionally, we as a country couldn't have handled a 131-page document, yet our legislators were presented with this," Younger said.
Younger explained a section of the act that allows law enforcement officials to search people's homes and offices without informing them. Such "sneak and peek" searches have upset people so much that Congress decided it would not fully fund the act in the next fiscal year, she said.
The act also has expanded the definition of domestic terrorism to include national organizations, she said. Some groups that engage in forms of civil disobedience could be included under that label, and people associated with those groups could be open to investigation.
"Many activist groups have called me on this definition and asked, 'Can we march?' " Younger said.
Other parts of the act -- including provisions that give law enforcement agents access to educational, medical, financial and library records without probable cause of a crime, as well as providing them with the ability to monitor Internet traffic -- open the door to abuses, Younger said.
She told the crowd that even if citizens don't mind opening themselves up to scrutiny, they should realize the act is broad in interpreting illegal acts.
"While you have nothing to hide, who is to determine what's criminal activity?" Younger said.
She encouraged the audience to speak out about their concerns, saying that many cities and towns have passed resolutions upholding the Bill of Rights and calling into question some parts of the Patriot Act.
"Join and support an organization that supports your beliefs and don't let fear influence who you should or shouldn't join," Younger said. "Don't let fear override your voice."
Many of those who attended last night's event had their own criticisms about the Patriot Act but were glad to get more information about it.
"I wanted to hear someone who was more knowledgeable about the Patriot Act speak about it," Darien resident Barbara Gardner said. "In general, it has a very chilling effect."
"It pretty much affirmed everything I've been reading (about the Patriot Act) until now," Greenwich resident Robert Bloom said. "You need to make a stand. I talk to my friends and I will be contacting my legislators."
Norwalk resident Arlene Miller said that after the attacks on Sept. 11, she felt willing to forfeit some of her privacy in the interest of national security. Now, she said she hopes the country can restore some civil liberties.
"I think we can work to restoring things," Miller said. "We have to re-examine our rights to privacy as well as our national security, because the two will not exist separately."
Copyright © 2003, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.
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