Home   
   START A PETITION   
   Members Area   
   Featured Petitions   
   Popular Petitions   
   Recent Petitions   
   Just Signed   
   Contact Us   
Petition Categories
   Civil & Human Rights

   Economy & Business

   Education

   Entertainment & Media

   Environment

   Government & Politics

   Health

   Uncategorized

QUICK HELP!
   Browse Petitions

   My Petitions

   Create a Petition

   Articles

   How to write a Petition

   Tips & Techniques

   Why Write Petitions

   Join us NOW

Featured Partners
   Home Mortgage

   $49 Prom Dresses- Bridesmaid Dresses.

   Online Dating

   My Real Match


Defend Our Constitution

Created by Don Marks on 6 July 2005 @ 2:22:56 PM

Our Constitutional rights must be defended against multiple assaults from the USA Patriot Act.

The Patriot Act has given the federal government greater authority in viewing our medical and library records (Section 215); cable TV information (Section 211); bank statements and financial records (Section 303 & 505); and Internet and telecommunication access records (Section 210 & 216). These sections allow distribution of this information without our consent and so violate our right to privacy. These new extreme powers have additionally moved the federal government’s techniques toward the realm of unreasonable searches that are disallowed by the Fourth Amendment.

Furthermore, the requirements of warrants and probable cause outlined in the Fourth Amendment are further violated by more sections of the Act. Section 213 authorizes delayed search warrants, meaning seizure of property or information can occur prior to a warrant. Section 212 allows the federal agents to arbitrarily demand records from communications providers with neither judicial review nor consent merely by declaring an emergency situation. Section 215 allows for the seizure of particular kinds of records without criminal activity.

Because the Patriot Act is unconstitutional, it is the responsibility of all public officials to recognize it as an invalid law. All public officials take an oath to uphold the Constitution and therefore cannot recognize the Patriot Act. So far, seven states have passed legislation ordering law enforcement not to comply with its unconstitutional aspects.

We, the undersigned citizens of Connecticut, ask our state law-makers to make Connecticut the eighth state to defend the Constitution. We recommend the following legislation, a tailored version of Montana’s state resolution:

________________________________________________________

Connecticut Bill to Defend our Constitution

WHEREAS, the citizens of Connecticut recognize the Constitution of the United States as our charter of liberty and that the Bill of Rights enshrines the fundamental and inalienable rights of Americans, including the freedoms of religion, speech, assembly, and privacy; and
WHEREAS, each of Connecticut's duly elected public servants has sworn to defend and uphold the United States Constitution; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Connecticut denounce and condemn all acts of terrorism by any entity, wherever the acts occur; and
WHEREAS, terrorist attacks against Americans, such as those that occurred on September 11, 2001, have necessitated the crafting of effective laws to protect citizens of the United States and others from terrorist attacks; and
WHEREAS, any new security measures of federal, state, and local governments should be carefully designed and employed to enhance public safety without infringing on the civil liberties and rights of innocent citizens of Connecticut and the United States; and
WHEREAS, certain provisions of the "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001", also known as the USA PATRIOT Act, allow the federal government to more liberally detain and investigate citizens and to engage in surveillance activities that may violate or offend the rights and liberties guaranteed by our federal constitution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT:
That the Connecticut General Assembly supports the government of the United States and affirms the commitment of the United States that the campaign of terrorism not be waged at the expense of essential civil rights and liberties of citizens of this country that are protected in the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that it is the policy of the citizens of Connecticut to oppose any portion of the USA PATRIOT Act that violates the rights and liberties guaranteed under the United States Constitution, including the Bill of Rights.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in accordance with Connecticut state policy, in the absence of reasonable suspicion of criminal activity under Connecticut law, the Connecticut General Assembly exhorts agents and instrumentalities of this state to not:
(1) initiate or participate in or assist or cooperate with an inquiry, investigation, surveillance, or detention under the USA PATRIOT Act if the action violates constitutionally guaranteed civil rights or civil liberties;
(2) record, file, or share intelligence information concerning a person or organization, including library lending and research records, book and video store sales and rental records, medical records, financial records, student records, and other personal data, even if authorized under the USA PATRIOT Act, if the action violates constitutionally guaranteed civil rights or civil liberties; or
(3) retain any of the intelligence information described in subsections (1) and (2) of this clause if the information violates constitutionally guaranteed civil rights or civil liberties.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Attorney General of Connecticut is encouraged to review intelligence information currently held by the state, assess the legality and appropriateness of holding the information under the United States Constitution, and permanently dispose of all such information to which there is not attached a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Connecticut General Assembly admonishes every agency and instrumentality of the state to not:
(1) use state resources or institutions for the enforcement of federal immigration matters that are the responsibility of the federal government;
(2) collect or maintain information about the political, religious, or social views, associations, or activities of any individual, group, association, organization, corporation, business, or partnership unless the information directly relates to an investigation of criminal activities and there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the subject of the information was, is, or may be involved in criminal conduct; or
(3) engage in racial profiling.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that state and local law enforcement agencies should not use race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin as factors in selecting individuals to subject to investigatory activities, except when seeking to apprehend a specific suspect whose race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin is part of the description of the suspect.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Connecticut General Assembly requests:
(1) public schools and institutions of higher learning within Connecticut to provide notice to each individual whose education records have been obtained by law enforcement agents pursuant to section 507 of the USA PATRIOT Act; and
(2) each public library within Connecticut to post in a prominent place within the library a notice to library users as follows: "WARNING: Under Section 215 of the federal USA PATRIOT Act (Public Law 107-56), records of the books and other material you borrow from this library may be obtained by federal agents. Federal law prohibits librarians from informing you if records about you have been obtained by federal agents. Questions about the law and policy that allows federal agents to obtain and use information about your activities in this library should be directed to: U.S. Attorney General, Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20530".
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Connecticut General Assembly encourages the Attorney General of Connecticut to periodically seek from federal authorities the following information in a form that facilitates an assessment of the effect of federal antiterrorism efforts on the residents of Connecticut:
(1) the name of each resident of Connecticut who has been arrested or otherwise detained by federal authorities as a result of terrorism investigations since September 11, 2001, the location of each detainee, the circumstances that led to each detention, the charges, if any, lodged against each detainee, and the name of counsel, if any, representing each detainee;
(2) the number of search warrants that have been executed in Connecticut pursuant to section 213 of the USA PATRIOT Act and without notice to the subject of the warrant;
(3) the extent of electronic surveillance carried out in Connecticut under powers granted in the USA PATRIOT Act;
(4) the extent to which federal authorities monitor political meetings, religious gatherings, or other activities within Connecticut that are protected by the First Amendment;
(5) the number of times that education records have been obtained from public schools and institutions of higher learning in Connecticut under section 507 of the USA PATRIOT Act;
(6) the number of times that library records have been obtained from libraries in Connecticut under section 215 or section 505 of the USA PATRIOT Act; and
(7) the number of times that records of the books purchased by store patrons from bookstores in Connecticut have been obtained under section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Connecticut General Assembly requests the Attorney General of Connecticut to compile and transmit to each member of the Assembly, at least once every 6 months, a summary of the information obtained pursuant to the legislative requests made in this resolution and, based on the information and any other relevant information, to include an assessment of the effect of federal antiterrorism efforts on the residents of Connecticut.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Connecticut General Assembly desires that all public libraries adopt policies that ensure the regular destruction of records, when the records are no longer needed, that may be used to identify the name of a book borrower or the name of any Internet user.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in order to protect intellectual privacy rights, the Connecticut General Assembly advises all persons in local businesses and institutions, particularly booksellers, to refrain whenever possible from keeping records that can be used to identify the name of any purchaser and to regularly destroy sales records maintained by the business or institution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Connecticut General Assembly urges the Connecticut delegation in the United States Congress to:
(1) correct provisions in the USA PATRIOT Act and other administrative measures that infringe on civil liberties by supporting the sunset provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act, slated to be reviewed by Congress in 2005, and ultimately allow the USA PATRIOT Act to expire; and
(2) support passage of the Security and Freedom Ensured Act of 2003 and the End Racial Profiling Act of 2004.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Connecticut General Assembly urges the Connecticut Congressional Delegation to vigorously oppose any pending and all future federal legislation if the legislation infringes on the civil rights and civil liberties of American citizens. Federal legislation that the Connecticut Congressional Delegation is encouraged to oppose includes but is not limited to the Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003, also known as Patriot Act II.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State send a copy of this resolution to President George W. Bush, the Attorney General of the United States, Governor Rell of Connecticut, Senator Joseph Lieberman, Senator Chris Dodd, Representative John Larson, Representative Rob Simmons, Representative Rosa DeLauro, Representative Chris Shays, and Representative Nancy Johnson
________________________________________________________


<< Previous | All Categories | Next >>

Invite Your Contacts to Support This Petition


Last 30 featured petitions will be published on the homepage, and remaining on the featured petitions section. They will get maximum exposure and receive signatures quickly. Promote this petitions to featured petition area with Paypal.

Two WeekPay $5.99
Three WeeksPay $8.99
Five WeeksPay $12.99
2 MonthPay $19.99
4 MonthsPay $25.99

Petition Signatures

74Angel TorreOur Constitutional rights must be defended
73Suzie Gordon
72Eric McLaughlin
71GaryBush has destroyed America and our freedom. Can not wait until he stands before God on JUDGEMENT DAY! GOD WILL ASK BUSH WHICH DAD DOES HE CALL FATHER WHEN MY WORD TELLS ALL&lt; CALL NO EARTHLY MAN YOUR FATHER!
70William HeitmanYes, We must preserve ourvConstitution and Bill Of Rights
69Franklin Sullivan
68someoneCONSTITUTION RULES!!! I SUPPORT THIS
67Kyla Ryan HouseI may not be from Connecticut, but I believe that the Patriot Act is unconstitutional.
66Jack Campbell
65D-Low DRP 427We the people need to stop an take A stand to bring down the gov. For generations they have been lieing to us ,steeling our hard earned money,branwashing us to beleave there devilish ways,.so they can have wold power and a system that only works out for them. AMERICA dont you see the illusion of ownership,slavery,two faced cons,that need to be in jail. Yet we sit back lick ,im only one person.NO were the backbone and brains that need to gather as one to bring true freedom,and the start to shangrhla on earth. 9-11 was a rep. gov. oil cash scam,so he could finish daddys job.gas prices up up up mmmm gwb owns a big part of ... the oil riggs ...oh ya and the patriot act bs bs and blanckcheck for killing .come on people take a stand to chance the world for the better
64John Serafin
63Cody Sasher
62shemales picturesSuperb! (I wrote something else and then I read below that I aint supposed ter. So I deleted it.)
61deep oralSince one of the ideas is to split strings not into words, but hopefully into phrases more semantically informative than the words they are made of, doing that better should mean better suggestions, and avoiding what essentially are word n-tuples should make for smaller data and slightly faster querying.
60shemales picturesSince one of the ideas is to split strings not into words, but hopefully into phrases more semantically informative than the words they are made of, doing that better should mean better suggestions, and avoiding what essentially are word n-tuples should make for smaller data and slightly faster querying.
59shemales storiesSuperb! (I wrote something else and then I read below that I aint supposed ter. So I deleted it.)
58shemales storiesSuperb! (I wrote something else and then I read below that I aint supposed ter. So I deleted it.)
57tramdolI got the same tramadol attack... well, not the same, because it was only about 20 comments instead of 90, and i t have any filtering set up, and I just deleted them one at a time... hmm.. the only thing really in common was that it was about tramadol... what filter do you have set up that caught them all?
56tramdolI always have terrible trouble with comment-related plugins that require me to put some line in the comment loop; I can never seem to find the right spot. Can anyone tell me where I should put the php line in my comments loop? I haven not modified anything much, and I would be very grateful. Thanks!
55David Webb
54Octavian Paul Draja
53Michael J Aboud
52francis KnizeThis is a VERY importantant Initiative to further force Public Officials to &quot;Support the Constitutiton.&quot; I urge all who care about the founding premise of our country to support this petition.
51Clinton and Bush are pure evil...
50Clinton and Bush are pure evil
49Anthony SalvatoreBush took an oath to uphold the Constitution. Clinton lied and went through the prosses of impeachment. Whats so different about Bush lying.
48Stephen DavisWe must pass the SAFE Act now to protect our rights under the Constitution.
47Robert VogelI support this petition.
46MICHAEL R. ASHLEYI support this petition.
45Kenneth HumphreyI support this petition.

Petition Details

Target: the Connecticut General Assembly
Category: Civil & Human Rights

Total Signatures: 74
Signatures Goal: 1000

Sign this Petition



   Name:

   Email:

   (Your email will stay hidden.)

   Remember Me:

   I Support This:

   Comments:

   

   
   






PETITION FORUM | MONTHLY CONTEST | NEWS | CONTACT US | TERMS OF SERVICES | DIRECTORY

All rights reserved to Petition Spot. All other trademarks appearing on this site are the property of their respective owners. We do not endorse contents submitted by our users. We are not affiliated with any 3rd party trademark material in any way. Thona Network directs full legal responsibility of contents to their respective owners/users. Thona Network is not responsible for the contents of any uploaded files,images, and other web contents, nor is it affiliated with entities represented in the uploaded files.

Copyright and Intellectual Property Policy. 2006 Petitionspot.com

eXTReMe Tracker