From the March 2004 Idaho Observer:

255 communities, 3 states representing 43.5 million Americans now opposing USA Patriot Act

There are many signs that the federal government's intent to erect the multi-faceted techno tyranny implied in the Patriot acts is failing. One of the most “mainstream” indicators is the exploding numbers of communities whose elected leaders have passed civil liberties-protecting ordinances and resolutions to protect citizens from certain Bill of Rights-violating laws coming down from Congress. Federalization of our nation is becoming extremely unpopular among Americans. If your city, county or state is not listed at right, consider approaching your city council, your county commission or your state representative with a resolution to protect their constituents from Washington, D.C. Since the precedent has already been set 258 times all over the nation, the groundwork has already been laid at the city, county and state level. Go to the Bill of Rights Defense Committee website at www.bordc.org for a complete package of all the background information and model resolutions, ordinances and bills you will need to present a compelling argument to the government official of your choice. The resolution example below was chosen for two reasons: Auburn Hills resident, IO subscriber and dedicated American Dave Lonier got us to see the bright light this grassroots activism is shining on the federalists in DC, but it is also an excellent example of the resolutions out there that have been passed.

Auburn Hills, Michigan

Resolution Expressing Concern that Portions of the USA Patriot and Homeland Securities Acts Pose a Direct Threat to the Liberties and Civil Rights Protected by the United States Constitution

At a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Auburn Hills, Oakland County, Michigan, held in the Council Chambers at 1827 N. Squirrel Road, Auburn Hills MI 48326 at 6:30 p.m., on the 2nd day of February, 2004

The following resolution was offered by Council Member Knight and supported by Council Member Pillsbury:

WHEREAS, the City of Auburn Hills recognizes the Constitution of the United States of America to be the “Supreme Law of the Land”, superceding all commercial codes, laws of commerce, admiralty law, laws merchant, administrative rules, local codes and ordinances, state statutes, public and congressional acts, complied and federal laws; and

WHEREAS the City of Auburn Hills desires to maintain its dedication to the free exercise and enjoyment of the unalienable rights endowed to all mankind by their Creator, as so expressed in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS the City of Auburn Hills recognizes the equality of all persons and embraces a population of unique Citizens and non-citizens having diverse ethnic and racial origin and religious beliefs; and

WHEREAS the City of Auburn Hills affirms its strong opposition to terrorism, but also affirms that any efforts to end terrorism not be waged at the expense of essential liberties and civil rights of the people of Auburn Hills, the State of Michigan and the United States of America; and

WHEREAS certain provisions of the USA Patriot and the Homeland Security Acts, expand the power of the Federal Government to detain and investigate, engage in covert electronic surveillance and search and seize real and personal property, bank accounts, records and information, without establishing reasonable suspicion or probable cause and to further deny persons' right to take legal action against the government or other parties for violations of rights, in such manner as to threaten the lives, liberties and civil rights of Citizens and non-citizens guaranteed under the United States Constitution; and

WHEREAS the City of Auburn Hills recognizes the importance of not infringing on the constitutionality guaranteed rights of any person; and

WHEREAS the City of Auburn Hills is firmly committed to the protection of the unalienable rights and civil liberties for all people, it is the policy of this City to completely avoid discrimination in every function of City government and to vigorously uphold the constitutionally protected rights of all persons to peacefully protest and express their political views without government interference; and

WHEREAS it is the policy of the City of Auburn Hills Police Department and their law enforcement personnel (Police) to ensure the equal protection of the laws and to require that Police shall not act in such a manner as to deprive any citizen or non-citizen of their constitutional rights, and shall not evidence bias in the performance of their duties; and

WHEREAS the City of Auburn Hills Police Department policies recognize that a well informed public is essential to the existence of a Constitutional Republic, and that the Chief of Police, as custodian of the Police Department records has the duty to maintain and dispose of such records in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, with due regard for the privacy and reputation of the subject of the record.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City Council reaffirms that it is the policy of the City of Auburn Hills Police Department not to engage in random profiling based on race, ethnicity, citizenship, religion, or political values, and to that end, the Auburn Hills Police Department will not engage in random interviews of any person solely based on their country of origin, race, religion, sex or any other characteristics unless there is specific evidence linking that person to an illegal act; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Auburn Hills City Council directs the City Clerk transmit to the Auburn Hills City Council, no less than once every six months, a summary of information obtained to the USA Patriot and Homeland Securities Acts; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Auburn Hills joins communities across the nation in expressing concern that portions of the USA Patriot and Homeland Securities Acts pose a direct threat to the liberties and civil rights protected by the United States Constitution; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT a copy of this resolution be presented to the Governor and Attorney General of the State of Michigan, the President, Attorney General and Congress of the United States of America and that our congressional representatives be advised of their solemn commitment to abide by the Constitution and repeal those sections of the USA Patriot and Homeland Security Acts which violate the People's liberties and civil rights and to the Auburn Hills Library Board for their information and possible action.

AYES: Mayor Harvey-Edwards, Mayor Pro Tem Pillsbury, Council Members Knight, Luenberger, Newkirk NAYS: Council Member McDonald

ABSENT: Council Member Kittle ABSTENTIONS: None

RESOLUTION ADOPTED

STATE OF MICHIGAN)

         )SS

COUNTY OF OAKLAND)

I, the undersigned, the duly appointed City Clerk for the City of Auburn Hills, Oakland County, Michigan do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and complete copy of a resolution adopted at a regular meeting of the Auburn Hills City Council held on the 2nd day of February, 2004. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my official signature on this 3rd day of February, 2004.

                        Linda F. Shannon, City Clerk

***

Grassroots opposition to the USA Patriot Act

State of Alaska

Anchorage

Bethel

Fairbanks

Gustavus

Homer

Juneau

Kenai

North Pole

Skagway

Sitka

Soldotna

Arizona

Bisbee

Flagstaff

Jerome

Pima County

Tucson

California

Albany

Arcata

Berkeley

Claremont

Contra Costa County

Cotati

Davis

Duarte

Dublin

EI Cerrito

Emeryville

Fairfax

Hayward

Lake County

Livermore

Los Angeles

Los Gatos

Marin County

Mendocino County

Mill Valley

Mountain View

Oakland

Pacific Grove

Palo Alto

Pinole

Pleasanton

Point Arena

Porterville

Richmond

Sacramento

Salinas

San Anselmo

San Francisco

San Jose

San Rafael

San Ramon

Santa Barbara

Santa Clara

Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz

Santa Monica

Saratoga

Sausalito

Sebastopol

Soledad

Sonoma

South Pasadena

Tehama County

Ukiah

Union City

Watsonville

West Hollywood

Yolo County

Colorado

Boulder

Crestone

Denver

Durango

Fort Collins

Ridgway

San Miguel County

Telluride

Ward

Connecticut

Bethany

Hartford

Mansfield

New Haven

Delaware

Arden

Newark

Wilmington

Florida

Alachua County

Broward County

Sarasota

Georgia

Atlanta

State of Hawaii

Honolulu

Idaho

Boise

Idaho County

Illinois

Carbondale

Chicago

Evanston

Glencoe

Oak Park

Indiana

Bloomington

Maine

Waterville

Maryland

Baltimore

Greenbelt

Montgomery Cty

Prince George's County

Takoma Park

Massachusetts

Amherst

Arlington

Ashfield

Brewster

Brookline

Greenburgh

Ithaca

Town of New Paltz

Village of New Paltz

New York

North Hempstead

Nyack

Rosendale

Schenectady

Schuyler County

St. Lawrence Cty

Syracuse

Urbana

Woodstock

North Carolina

Carrboro

Chapel Hill

Davidson

Durham County

Durham

Greensboro

Orange County

Ohio

Cleveland Heights

Oberlin

Oxford

Toledo

Yellow Springs

Oregon

Ashland

Astoria

Benton County

Corvallis

Douglas County

Eugene

Gaston

Lane County

Portland

Port Orford

Talent

Pennsylvania

Lansdowne

Philadelphia

Reading

Wilkinsburg

York

Rhode Island

Charlestown

Middletown

New Shoreham

North Providence

Providence

South Kingstown

Tennessee

Blount County

Texas

Austin

Sunset Valley

Utah

Castle Valley

State of Vermont

Athens

Brattleboro

Burlington

Dummerston

Guilford

Jamaica

Marlboro

Montpelier

Newfane

Putney

Rockingham

Warren

Westminster

Waitsfield

Windham

Virginia

Alexandria

Charlottesville

Washington

Bainbridge Island

Bellingham

Clallam County

Jefferson County

King County

Olympia

Oroville

Port Townsend

Riverside

San Juan County

Seattle

Snoqualmie

Tacoma

Tonasket

Twisp

Vashon-Maury Island

West Virginia

Huntington

Wisconsin

Douglas County

Madison

Wyoming

Fremont County

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Go to the Bill of Rights Defense Committee website at www.bordc.org for a complete package of all the background information and model resolutions, ordinances and bills you will need to present a compelling argument to the government official of your choice.