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| GPRI Councilman Segal Leads Providence to Reject Patriot Act. |
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December 19, 2003 Contact: PROVIDENCE, RI -- The GPRI applauds Green Party Councilman David A. Segal, lead sponsor of the Providence anti-Patriot Act resolution, for a job well done. Providence RI now joins four other RI communities adding its name to the list of 226 municipalities across the country rejecting the Patriot Acts violations of Civil liberties. The unanimous voice vote at City Hall received cheers and applause from a crowd of activists and supporters, many of whom have worked long and hard educating the community and building grassroots support against the ill named "Patriot Act." Providence now joins Block Island, Charlestown, Middletown, and South Kingstown in the struggle for justice. "The Patriot Act has little to do with patriotism, but rather is an attempt to short circuit democracy" noted Green Party of RI co chair Jeff Toste of Providence. The many questionable aspects of the Patriot Act include Section 215, which empowers law-enforcement to obtain individuals' information through a secret tribunal without having to show probable cause that a crime was committed. How does that honor America's commitment to free speech and democracy? " U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft claims the law is needed as a weapon in the war on terror and President Bush signed the Patriot Act into law 45 days after Sept. 11, 2001. Critics say that Congress, the president and Attorney General Ashcroft have overreacted at the expense of civil liberties. As Councilman Segal, and many others across the country have pointed out, In the name of "security" The Patriot act undermines basic constitutional rights including freedom of speech, religion, privacy and assembly. The GPRI is Proud to have Councilman David Segal, RI's only elected Green official, leading the fight for our civil rights. As Richard Walton, long time Green Party Activist points out, "We have good reason to be proud of David." Related: Bill of Rights Defense Committee |
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