Oppose USA Patriot Act & Related Executive Orders

By signing this petition, I am calling on the members of the Mecklenburg County Commission and the Charlotte City Council to pass the resolution "Opposing The USA PATRIOT Act and Related Executive Orders".

Resolution to Oppose the USA PATRIOT Act and Related Executive Orders

WHEREAS, the County of Mecklenburg has a proud tradition of resistance to tyranny, starting with its role as "a Hornets nest of rebellion" against British rule, and the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence on May 20, 1775; and

WHEREAS, the Constitutions of North Carolina and of the United States guarantee all citizens their traditional rights including freedom of religion, speech, assembly and privacy; protection from unreasonable searches and seizures; due process and equal protection to any person; equality before the law and the presumption of innocence; access to counsel in judicial proceedings; and a fair, speedy and public trial; and

WHEREAS, The USA PATRIOT Act signed by George W. Bush on October 26 2001, has a number of provisions that contradict the above mentioned rights and, fundamentally alters the nature of our civil liberties and does little to increase public safety; and

WHEREAS, examples of the provisions in the USA PATRIOT Act and Executive Orders that violate the Constitution and the rights and civil liberties of Mecklenburg County residents are as follows:

Significantly expands the government's ability to access sensitive medical, mental health, financial and educational records about individuals; and lowers the burden of proof required to conduct secret searches and telephone and Internet surveillance

Gives law enforcement expanded authority to obtain library records, and prohibits librarians from informing patrons of monitoring or information requests

Gives the Attorney General and the Secretary of State the power to designate domestic groups, including religious and political organizations, as "terrorist organizations"

Authorizes eavesdropping on confidential communications between lawyers and their clients in federal custody

Limits disclosure of public documents and records under the Freedom of Information Act; now therefore be it

RESOLVED that the County of Mecklenburg affirms its strong opposition to terrorism, but also affirms that any efforts to end terrorism not be waged at the expense of the fundamental civil rights and liberties of the people of Mecklenburg County, the sovereign State of North Carolina, or the United States; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the County of Mecklenburg affirms the rights of the citizens of North Carolina, living within Mecklenburg County in accordance with the Bill of Rights and especially the Ninth and Tenth amendments to the U.S. Constitution; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that, to the extent legally possible, no County or City employee or department shall officially assist or voluntarily cooperate with investigations, interrogations, or arrest procedures, public or clandestine, that are in violation of individuals' civil rights or civil liberties as specified in the above Amendments of the United States Constitution; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mecklenburg County Commission calls upon all private citizens and organizations, including residents, employers, educators, and business owners, to demonstrate similar respect for civil rights and civil liberties, especially but not limited to conditions of employment and cooperation with investigations; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the County of Mecklenburg calls on our United States Representative and Senators to monitor the implementation of the Act and Orders cited herein and actively work for the repeal of the Act and those Orders that violate fundamental rights and liberties as stated in the US Constitution and its Amendments.