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Write letter of support for Senator Fiqureoa’s
bill against the Patriot Act
Dear friends, colleagues, supporters and partners,
Most of you have witnessed the impact of USA Patriot Act on Muslims, Arabs and South Asians firsthand by working together as a team with AMV. Without genuine coalitions, teamwork, partnership and relentless support from each other we would have never achieved our goal of making our communities safe by passing resolutions against The USA Patriot Act in California. We have worked together tirelessly and need to continue to ensure the protection of civil liberties and constitutional rights for all.
Not only our administration has targeted innocent communities by legislative policies like Patriot Act, Clear Act, Victory Act and the Real ID Act, they have given a green light to others to mistreat and commit hate crimes against these communities.
According to CAIR 's survey, (a leading Muslim civil rights group) in the past year hate crimes against Muslim and Arabs have reached a record high. Alarmingly, the report also shows a sharp increase in law enforcement discrimination against American Muslims in 2004.
It is alarming that the hate and anger is accelerating at a record high in our nation. While policies like these are creating a havoc in our country we can continue to support each other by making our communities safe by saying no to policies like USA Patriot Act.
A bill has been introduced by Senator Liz Figueroa on APRIL 18, 2005 (BILL NUMBER: SJR 10)
Your urgent action and help is needed to safeguard all of our citizens and communities. Please write a supporting letter and fax it to American Muslim Voice. To ensure timely delivery we will hand deliver it to the Representative assigned for this project.
Our state should have been a leader in ensuring freedoms and liberties for all but let us work together to be the next state who says no to injustice and no to targeting our friends and neighbors. We should work together to ensure the safety of our nation, as one nation.
The following 7 states have passed statewide civil liberties resolutions.
ALASKA. COLORADO, HAWAII, IDAHO, MAINE, MONTANA, VERMONT
Individuals and Organizations concerned about the erosion of civil liberties are currently working to pass statewide resolutions in the following states:
ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA. Massachusetts. MINNESOTA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW MEXICO, OREGON, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, WASHINGTON, WYOMING.
Please send us your letter as soon as possible via e-mail to: samina_faheem@yahoo.com.
A peaceful and harmonious world is possible, together we can make that dream into a reality.
Best regards,
Samina F. Sundas
AMV Executive Director
samina_faheem@yahoo.com
May 20, 2005
Updated July 18, 2005
Sample letter
Dear Senator Figueroa,
We the _____, write to urge you to support the statewide civil rights resolution, Senate Joint Resolution 10.
The U.S.A PATRIOT Act and subsequent legislation have clearly undermined the Bill of Rights, and what this country stands for. SJR 10 recognizes that parts of the USA PATRIOT Act and subsequent legislation are manifestly unconstitutional, and will send a clear message that Californians will defend the civil rights of all its residents.
As of June 15, 2005, seven states (Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Montana and Vermont) and over 382 cities and counties across the country had passed similar resolutions. California must add its voice!
Conservatives and liberal voices alike, agree that portions of the USA Patriot Act have undermined long standing American freedoms such as the right to privacy, lawful political expression, and due process of law.
SJR 10 reaffirms California’s dedication to protect civil liberties by:
Urging congressional candidates to repeal the unconstitutional portions of the U.S.A PATRIOT Act, such as “sneak and peak”, the search of financial and medical records, the wire tapping of home phones, and other subsequent legislation.
Preventing state resources from being spent to enforce any unconstitutional legislation.
We recognize the threat of terrorism is real, but we do not need to sacrifice our basic liberties to achieve it? Our liberties are our security! The rest of the world will judge the United States by its deeds – the way it treats it ethnic and religious minorities.
We thank you for introducing this historic state resolution, and support your leadership on this pivotally important issue.
Sincerely,
Samina's letter to Senator Liz Figureoa.
Dear Senator Figueroa,
How are you? I would like to extend my appreciation and gratitude for conducting the study regarding the impact and effects of " The USA Patriot Act" on Muslims, Arabs and South Asians. There is a misconception among some of our state and Federal Representatives about that, some believe that " The USA Patriot Act" has not affected anyone. That is not true, Patriot Act is an invisible sword that is hanging over our heads at all times. It has silenced my whole community and has created a culture of mistrust, frustration, anger, hate, confusion, hopelessness in our community and has divided our nation.
Again American Muslim Voice thanks you for introducing this historic state resolution, and support your leadership on this pivotally important issue.
I am writing to urge you to support the statewide civil rights resolution, Senate Joint Resolution 10.
The U.S.A PATRIOT Act and subsequent legislation have clearly undermined the Bill of Rights, and what this country stands for. SJR 10 recognizes that parts of the USA PATRIOT Act and subsequent legislation are manifestly unconstitutional, and will send a clear message that Californians will defend the civil rights of all its residents.
Seven states and over 376 communities across the country have already passed similar resolutions. California must add its voice!
American Muslim Voice takes pride in assisting two counties and nine cities in passing resolutions against "The USA Patriot Act" in California.
Conservatives and liberal voices alike, agree that portions of the USA Patriot Act have undermined long standing American freedoms such as the right to privacy, lawful political __expression, and due process of law.
SJR 10 reaffirms California’s dedication to protect civil liberties by:
- Urging congressional candidates to repeal the unconstitutional portions of the U.S.A PATRIOT Act, such as “sneak and peak”, the search of financial and medical records, the wire tapping of home phones, and other subsequent legislation.
- Preventing state resources from being spent to enforce any unconstitutional legislation.
We recognize the threat of terrorism is real, but we do not need to sacrifice our basic liberties to achieve it? Our liberties are our security! The rest of the world will judge the United States by its deeds – the way it treats it ethnic and religious minorities.
If we truly want to make our country safe and secure we must work together to achieve that goal, where we create a culture of understanding, acceptance, mutual respect, fair policies, due process, equality and justice for all.
American Muslim Voice is proud to work towards that goal by bridging the gap between all communities and taking the next step from the interfaith dialog by sowing the seeds of friendship among all Americans.
We are looking forward to working with you to create a safe, peaceful and harmonious America, where we all feel at home.
Sincerely,
Samina Faheem Sundas
Founder, American Muslim Voice
www.amuslimvoice.org
Phone: 650-387-1994
About American Muslim Voice: We are a grassroots, nonviolent, inclusive, civil, immigrant and human rights organization building alliances and genuine partnership with like minded groups and individuals to protect and preserve civil liberties and constitutional rights for ALL. Our goal is to bridge the gap between all communities and unite us all under the umbrella of our common humanity.
"Success is a journey, not a destination. It requires constant effort, vigilance and re-evaluation." Mark Twain
Senator Fiqureoa’s bill SJR 10 against the Patriot Act
APRIL 18, 2005
INTRODUCED BY Senator Liz Figueroa
BILL TEXT
Relative to the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SJR 10, as introduced, Figueroa. U.S.A. PATRIOT Act. This measure would urge the California Congressional delegation to work to repeal any provisions of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act that limit or impinge on rights and liberties protected equally by the United States Constitution and the California Constitution and to oppose any pending and future federal legislation to the extent that it would infringe on Americans' civil rights and liberties.
This measure would also resolve that the State of California will ensure that no state resources be provided for any action that would violate the United States Constitution and the California Constitution, including
specified actions. Fiscal committee: no.
WHEREAS, The State of California recognizes the Constitution of the United States of America 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, The State of California has a distinguished history of safeguarding the freedoms of its residents; and
WHEREAS, Each of the California's duly elected public servants has sworn to defend and uphold the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of California; and
WHEREAS, The State of California denounces and condemns all acts of terrorism, wherever occurring; 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 persons in the State of California and the nation; and
WHEREAS, Certain provisions of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act, also known as the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act, allow the
government greater authority to detain and investigate persons and to engage in surveillance activities that may violate or offend the rights and liberties guaranteed by our federal and state constitutions, including rights of due process, the right to privacy, the right to counsel, protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, and basic First Amendment freedoms; and
WHEREAS, The people of California are concerned that many provisions of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act, pose significant threats to constitutional protections; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of California, jointly, That the State of California supports appropriate and effective measures by the government of the United States of America and the State of California to combat terrorism and affirms its commitment that the campaign not be waged at the expense of essential civil rights and liberties of citizens of this country contained in the United States Constitution and the Bills of Rights; and be it further Resolved, That the State of California also urges its Congressional delegation to work to repeal any provisions of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act that limit or impinge on rights and liberties protected equally by the United States Constitution and the California Constitution and to oppose any pending and future federal legislation to the extent that it would infringe on Americans' civil rights and liberties; and be it further
Resolved, That the State of California will ensure that no state resources be provided for any action that would violate the United States Constitution, or the Constitution of the State of California, including but not limited to, all of the following:
(1) Collecting or maintaining 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 the subject of the information is or may be involved in criminal conduct.
(2) Recording, filing or sharing 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 U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.
(3) Demanding nonconsensual releases of student and faculty records from public schools and institutions of higher learning.
(4) Eavesdropping on confidential communications between lawyers and their clients.
(5) Engaging in racial profiling that enables law enforcement agencies to use race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin as factors in selecting individuals to be subject to investigational activities, except when seeking to apprehend a specific suspect whose race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin is part of the description of the suspect; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate shall transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress, the Attorney General of the United States, and to all federal and state law enforcement agencies.
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