[Peace-discuss] Fwd: [ALACOUN:8985] Connecticut Resolution on the USA Patriot Act

[Alfred Kagan]

FYI

>Subject: [ALACOUN:8985] Connecticut Resolution on the USA Patriot Act
>Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 15:05:33 -0500
>Thread-Topic: Connecticut Resolution on the USA Patriot Act
>Thread-Index: AcLTm/ZrFc4/rT9fEdewCQAQpOAjXQ==
>From: "Michael Golrick" <mgolrick at brdgprtpl.lib.ct.us>
>To: ALA Council List <alacoun at ala1.ala.org>
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>Good day-
>
>This morning at the monthly meeting, the Executive Board of the
>Connecticut Library Association adopted the resolution below (which will
>be added to the Association web site in the next several days):
>
>Connecticut Library Association USA PATRIOT Act Resolution
>
>In February 2003, the Connecticut Library Association Executive Board
>approved the following resolution regarding Public Law 107-56,
>particularly but not limited to Section 215 of the Uniting and
>Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to
>Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (USA PATRIOT).  Hastily passed with
>no public hearing and signed by President George W. Bush on Oct. 26,
>2001, the law has significant implications for libraries.  Intended to
>expand the government's ability to prevent and fight terrorism, it
>includes provisions that threaten the privacy rights of library users,
>undermine the confidentiality that supports the free exchange of ideas
>so critical for democracy and significantly challenge the constitutional
>premise that you are innocent until proven guilty.
>
>The Connecticut Library Association supports this resolution on the USA
>PATRIOT Act and related measures that infringe on the rights of library
>patrons.
>
>WHEREAS, the professional ethic of librarianship is to facilitate the
>free flow of information, to facilitate its distribution and to protect
>the privacy of those who seek information; and
>
>WHEREAS, the privacy and confidentiality of those who seek and use
>recorded knowledge and information are of the highest importance; and
>
>WHEREAS, the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act, Homeland Security Act
>and current and future laws and regulations expand the authority of the
>federal government to detain and investigate citizens and non-citizens,
>to engage in electronic surveillance of citizens and non-citizens, and
>to threaten civil rights and liberties guaranteed under the United
>States Constitution and Bill of Rights; and
>
>WHEREAS, the USA PATRIOT Act, Homeland Security Act and current and
>future laws and regulations increase the likelihood that activities and
>records of library patrons, including their tangible and intangible
>records, their use of computers to browse the Web or access email, may
>be under government surveillance without their knowledge or consent; and
>
>WHEREAS, the new federal laws and policies disproportionately affect
>individuals who rely on public access computers in libraries;
>
>THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut Library Association
>opposes use of government power to suppress the free and open exchange
>of ideas and information; and
>
>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Connecticut Library Association
>encourages all librarians, library administrators, and library advocates
>to inform their communities, staff and patrons about the far-reaching
>danger of current legislation, including the USA PATRIOT Act, Homeland
>Security Act and future legislation that impinges on patron
>confidentiality and access to information; and
>
>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Connecticut Library Association strongly
>condemns any current or future legislation, or any government action
>that threatens privacy, information access and Constitutional rights,
>both Federal and State; and 
>
>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Connecticut Library Association affirms
>that if any sections of the USA PATRIOT Act and Homeland Security Act
>violate fundamental rights and liberties guaranteed in the United States
>Constitution, Bill of Rights and Connecticut Constitution, they should
>be repealed; and
>
>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Connecticut Library Association,
>although it opposes terrorism, has a long and distinguished history of
>defending intellectual and civil liberties, and will affirm and uphold
>the efforts of librarians everywhere to defend and support patron
>privacy and free and open access to information.
>
>
>Unanimously endorsed by the Connecticut Library Association's Executive
>Board
>
>February 13, 2003
>
>http://cla.uconn.edu
>
>
>Ever true,
>
>Michael
>
>Michael A. Golrick 
>Connecticut Chapter Councilor
>City Librarian, Bridgeport Public Library


-- 


Al Kagan
African Studies Bibliographer and Professor of Library Administration
Africana Unit, Room 328
University of Illinois Library
1408 W. Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801, USA

tel. 217-333-6519
fax. 217-333-2214
e-mail. akagan at uiuc.edu