September 2012, Vol. 14 No.9
View this newsletter as a webpage: http://www.bordc.org/newsletter/2012/09/
On Wednesday, September 12th, the House of Representatives voted 301-118 to extend the 2008 amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) for another five years, despite continuing secrecy, unanswered questions, and concerns from across the political spectrum about its sweeping invasions of privacy.
In the last month, BORDC has appeared in press outlets across the nation to focus attention on issues including domestic military detention under the NDAA, the extension of dragnet electronic surveillance under FISA, and various other dimensions of the constitutional crisis.
Over the past month, BORDC has appeared at several public events across the nation to educate and mobilize audiences about civil liberties issues such as domestic military detention, dragnet electronic surveillance, profiling, and the suppression of dissent.
Have you read BORDC’s blog lately? The People’s Blog for the Constitution has attracted a growing audience that has tripled over the past year. Featuring news & analysis beyond the headlines on a daily basis, it offers a great way to stay up to date and informed.
Highlights from the past month include:
Every month, BORDC honors an individual who has done outstanding work in support of civil liberties and the rule of law in his or her community. This month, the Patriot Award goes to Talat Hamdani in New York City for her courageous work defending civil rights.
- Los Angeles, CA: Coalition responds to LAPD surveillance policy changes
- Los Angeles, CA: Coalition emerges to challenge domestic military detention
- Berkeley, CA: Coalition mobilizing to support reforms pending before City Council
- San Francisco, CA: The 99% lobby key Senator to repeal indefinite detention under NDAA
- Tacoma, WA: BORDC activism prompts investigative exposé of environmental and civil rights abuses in immigrant detention
- Chicago, IL: Activists plan events protesting police misconduct and unwarranted surveillance
- Cleveland, OH: coalition raises awareness of violence and profiling in the war on drugs
- Charlotte, NC: Activists challenge police abuses beyond the DNC
- New York, NY: Community action speaking out against racial profiling through Stop & Frisk
- Hartford, CT: Coalition to Stop Indefinite Detention plans regional conference
In a critical move for the preservation of civil liberties, federal Judge Katherine Forrest issued a permanent injunction on September 12 preventing domestic military detention. Her ruling prevents implementation of the indefinite detention provision of the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2012 ("NDAA"), affirming a preliminary injunction she previously granted in May. BORDC supported the case, filing an amicus curiae brief arguing that the law's detention powers are unconstitutional.
On Thursday, August 30, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the Justice Department has closed the last remaining criminal investigations of illegal torture committed by US officials under the Bush administration.
Los Angeles is no stranger to controversy involving its police department, so it is no surprise that a number of recent violent arrests have caused a public outcry. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a report in July showing that shootings by officers increased 50% from the 2007-2010 average, with the sharpest increases in Southeast and South Central LA.
Today is Constitution Day, celebrating the anniversary of the Constitution’s signing in 1787. Use these resources to help educate your community today.
Help BORDC restore the rule of law
- Get involved! Volunteer, organize, raise your voice—we have an opportunity that's right for everyone.
- Read our blog. We publish the latest civil liberties news, plus analysis beyond the headlines.
- Support our work! Donate online or mail a check or money order to:
Bill of Rights Defense Committee
8 Bridge Street, Suite A
Northampton, MA 01060
- Follow BORDC on Facebook and Twitter. Connect with other supporters and help build the movement.
- Spread the word! Forward this email newsletter to your friends and family.
|
