- The Eugene City Council passed a resolution Monday night
opposing the USA Patriot Act. Congress passed the legislation shortly
after September 11th in hopes of cracking down on terrorism. Eugene Councilors
agreed to pass a resolution after listening to dozens speak out on the
controversial anti-terrorism law during a public forum at the Eugene City
Hall. Alexander Gonzales said, "If we grow up thinking that it's
ok to profile, it's ok to subject people to searches, then what is ok?"
Dawn Peebles said, "Now, ordinary citizens are fearful that the government
can come into their homes without honoring the Bill of Rights."
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- Almost 2000 people had signed a petition asking the Eugene
City Council to pass the Lane County Bill of Rights Defense Committee's
Proposed Resolution. The document asks the US Attorney's Office and all
federal, state, and local law enforcement officials to report to the City
of Eugene the extent and manner in which they act under the new law. For
instance, the resolution asks police to report the names and charges of
any people being detained under the law, and to disclose the extent that
federal authorities are monitoring political and religious gatherings in
Eugene.
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- The new Eugene resolution is more symbolic than anything
because officials don't have to comply with it. The document also asks
Oregon Congressmen to try and revoke the law. 14 other local governments
have passed similar resolutions.
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