CFL ALERT: OPPOSE THE PATRIOT ACT

************************** For Immediate Release April 13, 2003 ************************** CFL ALERT: Conservative lawmakers are considering acting upon legislation that would make the Patriot Act permanent as early as this week. CFL urges citizens to call their Representatives in the Senate and express their opposition to the Patriot Act, which would strip law-abiding citizens of their constitutional rights to due process and privacy. TALKING POINTS: The Patriot Act would allow domestic law enforcement agencies the ability to investigate all American citizens with impunity. *The Patriot Act allows law enforcement officials to conduct telephone and Internet surveillance with minimal judicial supervision, thus diminishing the system of checks and balances that are fundamental to the backbone of how this country is run. *The FBI would have the ability to conduct secret searches without search warrants and retain sensitive medical, financial, mental health and educational records on individuals who are not involved or even suspected of being involved in terrorism or criminal activity. *The Patriot Act would also allow the use of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to bypass the probable cause requirements which are fundamental in criminal cases; this would create a new definition of "domestic terrorism" that could lead to the investigation and prosecution of any and all persons suspected to be engaged in acts of political unrest. Please choose the appropriate letter to send! (YOU MUST PICK A SUBJECT FROM THE DROP DOWN BAR) [After you enter your contact info the appropriate addresses are provided. Simply type, or send our prewritten letter and click send. Be sure to bookmark this page so you can send ONE LETTER EVERY DAY. We have prewritten letters for your convenience.] EMAIL AND OR CALL THE WHITE HOUSE WHITE HOUSE COMMENTS LINE: 202-456-1111 WHITE HOUSE SWITCHBOARD: 202-456-1414 WHITE HOUSE FAX: 202-456-2461 ===================================================== Citizens for Fair Legislation is a grassroots organization committed to encouraging a fair domestic and foreign policy with an emphasis on the US/Arab world. www.cflweb.org