- Dear friends,
-
- This is serious and urgent. There is a clear and present
danger to democracy in Oregon which could spread to other states.
-
- Senate Bill 742 proposed by Oregon State Senator Minnis
(R-Dist. 25 / Fairview)(Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee) creates
the crime of "terrorism" -- punishable by life imprisonment.
Senator Minnis defines "terrorism" so broadly that even being
present at a demonstration that is in any way "disruptive" could
result in life imprisonment.
-
- I have given the relevant sections of the bill below,
as well as the link to the whole bill. I have also provided information
from the American Civil Liberties Union regarding this, including contact
information for the relevant Oregon State Senators.
-
- Ever since laws began to be passed criminalizing "terrorism,"
I have been concerned that its definition would be expanded to include
anything that authorities wished to suppress which could then be subject
to extreme punishment, laying the groundwork for serious suppression. It
seems that is now happening. It must be energetically nipped in the bud
if we are to prevent its spread.
-
- If this law passes in Oregon, it is highly likely that
other states will pass similar laws, especially in the current political
climate.
-
- I trust you will act if you feel so moved. Whether you
are an Oregon resident or not, you can express your dismay to the Oregon
State Senators listed below. If you are an Oregon resident you can, in
addition, attend a hearing Monday morning Mar 24 in Salem, OR (specifics
below).
-
- Coheartedly,
Tom
-
-
- PS: The law also sets aside (in terrorism cases) two
other Oregon laws which prevent police from (a) spying on innocent people
and organizations and (b) apprehending people solely for immigration violations.
-
- _____
-
- Excerpts from the proposed law:
-
- http://pub.das.state.or.us/LEG_BILLS/PDFs/SB742.pdf 72nd
OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2003 Regular Session Senate Bill 742 Sponsored
by Senator MINNIS
-
- SUMMARY: Creates crime of terrorism. Punishes by life
imprisonment.
-
- SECTION 1.
-
- (1) A person commits the crime of terrorism if the person
knowingly plans, participates in or carries out any act that is intended,
by at least one of its participants, to disrupt: (a) The free and orderly
assembly of the inhabitants of the State of Oregon; (b) Commerce or the
transportation systems of the State of Oregon; or (c) The educational or
governmental institutions of the State of Oregon or its inhabitants.
-
- (2) A person commits the crime of terrorism if the person
conspires to do any of the activities described in subsection (1) of this
section. .... (4) (a) A person convicted of terrorism shall be punished
by imprisonment for life. (b) When a person is convicted of terrorism under
this section, the court shall order that the person be confined for a minimum
of 25 years without possibility of parole, release to post-prison supervision,
release on work release or any form of temporary leave or employment at
a forest or work camp....
-
- _ _ _ _ _
-
- The State Senator from Eugene (my hometown):
-
- Senator Vicki Walker Party: D District: 7 Capitol Phone:
503-986-1707 Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE S-210, Salem Or 97301 Email
Address: <mailto:sen.vickiwalker@state.or.us> Web page Address: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/walker/>
-
- _ _ _ _ _
-
- An opportunity to make your opinions known:
-
-
- Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2003 17:23:55 -0800 From: Harriet Merrick
<hmerrick@efn.org> Subject: Monday March 24 in Salem
-
- I am forwarding a message from the ACLU (American Civil
Liberties Union). There is an important hearing this Monday, March 24th,
at 8 a.m. in Salem at the Capital. If you can attend, please do. Representative
Minnis is sponsoring a bill that is so vague and expansive that almost
any activity that is considered "disruptive" could be considered
"terrorist" activity and "earn" a life sentence with
no parole.
-
- SB 742 in its original form lacks guidelines. Local law
enforcement will decide what is disruptive. This could lead to very uneven
application of the law. If this vague law existed during the civil rights
movement, those opposing change could have declared boycotters, marchers
and leaders such as Martin Luther King as "terrorists" and sentenced
them to life imprisonment. One wonders what it would do today. There's
more. I invite you to read the ACLU memo below.
-
- This bill is in committee and needs a sizable number
of people to attend in opposition. If you cannot attend, please read the
bill and let the committee know how you feel (contact numbers below).
-
-
- _ _ _ __
-
- The Alert from the American Civil Liberties Union
-
- ACLU of Oregon Email Activist Network
-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
*** ACLU-OR Action: SB 742 Hearing on Monday, March 24 ----------------------------------------------------------------
-
- We need you in Salem at 8:00 a.m. on Monday. SB 742
has been set for a hearing on Monday, March 24 at 8:00 a.m. in Senate Judiciary,
Room 343.
-
- SB 742 creates the crime of "terrorism" and
defines it so broadly that individuals would be subject to life in prison
if any other participant intended to disrupt commerce, transportation,
educational, or governmental institutions (such as, strikes, protests,
student food fights).
-
- So you can read it for yourself, here's the link to the
bill: <http://pub.das.state.or.us/LEG_BILLS/PDFs/SB742.pdf>
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- WE NEED YOUR HELP TO STOP THIS BILL NOW.
-
- 1) ATTEND MONDAYS 8AM HEARING. We want to pack the room
with as many of our supporters as possible. We'll give you a sticker,
identifying you as a supporter when you get to the hearing room.
-
- **Please know that there will be amendments to Section
1 to limit the current drafted definition of "Terrorism." BUT
-- there are no amendments to Section 2, that allows for law enforcement
to ignore ORS 181.575 & ORS 181.850 if they are investigating "terrorism."
(See the attachment on 181 Campaign Talking Points. If you have difficulty
opening attachments, we've also included the talking points below).
-
- 2) CONTINUE CALLS to Senators Burdick, Ringo, Walker,
Courtney & Brown.
-
- 3) CALL Republican Senators Minnis, Starr and Ferrioli
who sit on the Senate Judiciary to let them know you OPPOSE SB 742 (contact
at end of e-mail)
-
- Please call them even if you are not in their District.
This is an Oregon issue, not a district issue.
-
- Here's the contact information.
-
- Senator John Minnis, Chair Party: R District: 25 Capitol
Phone: 503-986-1725 Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE S-311, Salem Or 97301
Email Address: <mailto:sen.johnminnis@state.or.us> Web page Address:
<http://www.leg.state.or.us/minnisj>
-
- Senator Ginny Burdick, Vice-Chair Party: D District:
18 Capitol Phone: 503-986-1718 Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE S-317,
Salem Or 97301 Email Address: <mailto:sen.ginnyburdick@state.or.us>
Web page Address: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/burdick/>
-
- Senator Ted Ferrioli Party: R District: 30 Capitol
Phone: 503-986-1730 Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE S-217, Salem Or 97301
Email Address: <mailto:sen.tedferrioli@state.or.us> Web page Address:
<http://www.leg.state.or.us/ferrioli>
-
- Senator Charlie Ringo Party: D District: 17 Capitol
Phone: 503-986-1717 Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE S-314 Salem, OR 97301
Email Address: <mailto:sen.charlieringo@state.or.us> Web page Address:
<http://www.leg.state.or.us/ringo>
-
- Senator Charles Starr Party: R District: 13 Capitol
Phone: 503-986-1713 Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE S-312, Salem Or 97301
Email Address: <mailto:sen.charlesstarr@state.or.us> Web page Address:
<http://www.leg.state.or.us/starrc/>
-
- Senator Vicki Walker Party: D District: 7 Capitol Phone:
503-986-1707 Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE S-210, Salem Or 97301 Email
Address: <mailto:sen.vickiwalker@state.or.us> Web page Address: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/walker/>
-
- Senate Leadership:
-
- Senate President Peter Courtney Party: D District: 11
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1600 Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE S-203, Salem
Or 97301 Email Address: <mailto:sen.petercourtney@state.or.us> Web
page Address: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/senate/senpres>
-
- Senator Kate Brown, Democrat Leader Party: D District:
21 Capitol Phone: 503-986-1700 Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE S-323,
Salem Or 97301 Capitol Fax:503-986-1080 Email Address: <mailto:sen.katebrown@state.or.us>
Web page Address: <http://www.leg.state.or.us/brown/>
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 181 CAMPAIGN TALKING POINTS Don't Let Oregon Police Be
Used For Political Spying Or As Federal INS Agents.
-
- Current Status: SB 742 is set for a hearing on Monday,
MARCH 24, 8:00 a.m in Senate Judiciary (Room 343).
-
- SB 742 creates crime of "terrorism" and defines
it so broadly that individuals would be subject to life in prison if any
other participant intended to disrupt commerce, transportation, educational,
or governmental institutions (such as, strikes, protests, student food
fights). More importantly, it would also allow state and local law enforcement
to ignore both ORS 181.575 & ORS 181.850 if investigating "terrorism."
This basically unravels the protections that these laws provide!
-
- Who We Are: We are a growing and diverse coalition of
Oregon organizations. We include representatives of organizations working
in civil rights, law enforcement, domestic violence, immigration, religious,
labor, environmental, grassroots and advocacy communities. We share the
common goal of preserving ORS 181.575 and ORS 181.850 because they encourage
effective law enforcement and protect the constitutional rights of everyone
who lives in Oregon.
-
- For a list of the dozens of coalition members see <http://www.aclu-or.org/issues/terrorism/181/181coalition.htm>
-
- What are these "181 Laws" all about?
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- ORS 181.575: Protects Against Police Spying on Innocent
People and Organizations: The law prohibits law enforcement agencies from
collecting or maintaining information about the political, religious, social
views, associations or activities of any person or group unless that information
directly relates to a criminal investigation.
-
- Oregon's History of Abuse: From the creation of the
Portland Police "Red Squad" in the 1940s until the passage of
this law in 1981, hundreds of political, religious and other organizations
were the subjects of FBI and police surveillance for no valid reason.
A recent series in the Portland Tribune (September 2002) uncovered Portland
police intelligence files tracking groups such as ACLU of Oregon, American
Friends Service Committee (Quakers), Coalition Against Domestic Violence,
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, Hispanic Commission, Peace House, Planned
Parenthood, Rape Relief Hotline, Sierra Club, United Farm Workers and many
more.
-
- ORS 181.850: Allows State & Local Law Enforcement
to Focus on Oregon Priorities: This law prevents state and local law enforcement
agencies from targeting people based on their race or ethnic origin when
those individuals are not suspected of any criminal activity.
-
- Local law enforcement is prohibited from using resources
to apprehend people whose only offense is a federal immigration violation.
The law allows state and local law enforcement to contact the INS after
they have arrested someone. The law also permits state and local police
to request information from the INS that may help solve a criminal case.
-
- This law does not prevent local law enforcement from
working with federal law enforcement to investigate threats of terrorism.
-
- History: In the 1980s, several local law enforcement
agencies carried out raids and roadblocks in collaboration with the INS
targeting Oregon's Latino community. Many lawful residents and US citizens
were swept up in the raids and were treated harshly by local police and
INS agents. Passage of ORS181.850 in 1987 has not completely eliminated
such practices, but has helped create dramatic improvements in the relationship
between immigrants and the police.
-
- Why We Need to Keep Both Laws:
-
- @ They Help Prevent & Solve Crimes: Many law enforcement
officials support these laws because in communities where people are afraid
to talk to police, more crimes go unreported, fewer witnesses come forward,
and people are less likely to report suspicious activity. For example,
without this law, domestic violence cases will go unreported, leading to
injury or death.
-
- @ They Help Build Trust in Communities: Many immigrants
come from countries where people are afraid of the police, and many Oregon
police agencies have spent years building trust that would be undermined
by asking local police to do the job of the INS. Police surveillance of
lawful political and religious activity also undermines the credibility
of law enforcement. Repeal of these laws would undermine the ability of
police to carry out community policing.
-
- @ They Help Keep Priorities in Focus: State and local
budgets have been cut to the bone. There are many federal agencies to enforce
federal laws, but only our state and local police can enforce state and
local laws. Especially in these times of tight budgets, they need to concentrate
on local priorities and local crimes that the federal government won't
enforce.
-
-
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
- PERMISSION IS GRANTED TO FORWARD THIS ACLU MESSAGE. -----------------------------------------------------------------------
- ONLINE RESOURCES FROM THE ACLU OF OREGON
-
- Web Page: <http://www.aclu-or.org>
-
- To subscribe to the ACLU of Oregon Email Activist Network,
send e-mail to <mailto:aclu_eug@efn.org>aclu_eug@efn.org and say
"subscribe aclu-oregon" in the body of the message. To be taken
off the Email Activist Network, send e-mail to <mailto:aclu_eug@efn.org>aclu_eug@efn.org
and say "signoff aclu-oregon" in the body of the message.
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ONLINE RESOURCES FROM THE ACLU NATIONAL OFFICE
-
- ACLU Freedom Network Web Page: <http://www.aclu.org>http://www.aclu.org.
Constitution Hall on America Online (keyword ACLU)
-
- ACLU Action Update ACLU National Washington Office 122
Maryland Avenue NE Washington, DC 20002
-
- To subscribe to the national ACLU Action List, send a
message to <mailto:aclu_members@capwiz.mailmanager.net> with "subscribe
action" in the body of the message. To end your subscription, send
a message to <mailto:majordomo@aclu.org> with "unsubscribe action"
in the body of the message.
-
- For general information about the national ACLU, write
to <mailto:action@dcaclu.org>
-
-
- _______________________________
-
- Tom Atlee * The Co-Intelligence Institute * PO Box 493
* Eugene, OR 97440 http://www.co-intelligence.org * http://www.democracyinnovations.org
Please support our work. * Your donations are fully tax-deductible.
-
- ________________________________
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