Rochester New York Wants Patriot Act Fixed

Rochester, NY February 3, 2006

 By Lee Price

The City of Rochester, New York today joined a growing list of governments (27 in New York State) expressing concerns for civil liberties, and objecting to various provisions of the so-called USA Patriot Act. In a letter to Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton issued today, the city (pop. 219,000) called upon Congress to ensure that “stringent protections” for civil liberties be added as a condition of reauthorization of the Act. The Act is set to expire March 10th.

The letter, approved unanimously and signed by all nine City Council members warns of a “blurring of the line between criminal investigations and foreign intelligence” and cites 6 sections of the act which may “erode the essence of democracy, chilling First Amendment rights and weakening the Fourth Amendment.” Sections of the Act affecting local governments, public libraries and booksellers, business records, “sneek and peek” searches, and roving wiretaps were of particular concern to the Council.

On January 17th, a coalition of local organizations and more than 200 citizens asked City Council to study the issue and to act in defense of civil liberties. In taking this action, the City of Rochester joins 394 municipalities across the nation which have raised official objections to the Patriot Act. This week, the state of California will consider a Resolution critical of the USA Patriot Act. If passed, California will be come the 8th state to do so. The others are Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Montana, and Vermont.

Area residents who support this action are urged to sign "An Open Letter On Civil Liberties"  (http://monroebordc.com/Site_Classic/Pet_localPA_sign.php) which will soon be delivered to The Monroe County Legislature.