ALAWON: American Library Association Washington Office Newsline
Volume 10, Number 69
September 24, 2001

In this issue:

[1]  Bush Administration Submits Anti-Terrorism Legislation to Congress (http://www.cdt.org/ or http://epic.org)


[2]  ACLU and other civil liberties groups release "In Defense of Freedom at a Time of Crisis" statement (http://www.indefenseoffreedom.org/)


[1] Bush Administration Submits Anti-Terrorism Legislation to Congress (http://www.cdt.org/ or http://epic.org)

Hearings have just started in the House of Representatives with other hearings scheduled tomorrow, September 25th, on the Anti-terrorist Act of 2001. Late in the day on September 19, 2001 the Bush Administration sent a "working draft" of anti-terrorism legislation to Congress.  The proposed legislation is intended to "combat terrorism and defend the Nation against terrorist acts."  It now appears to be moving on an expedited schedule although many in Congress and elsewhere are encouraging the House and Senate to go cautiously and prudently without rushing into this legislation.

In essence, the proposed legislation would expand both government surveillance authority, including electronic surveillance, and the ability to detain suspects and deport immigrants.  Various groups fear that such broad authority could impinge on citizen's privacy rights and erode civil liberties.  ALA is reviewing the legislation to assess how it specifically impacts libraries. 

For more information, analysis, and a copy of the draft legislation go to the Center for Democracy and Technology's web site at http://www.cdt.org or visit the Electronic Privacy Information Center's (EPIC) web site at http://epic.org.

The ALA Washington Office is closely monitoring the legislation, related hearings and activities, and will keep members updated on the progress and effects of the proposed legislation.


[2] ACLU and other civil liberties groups release "In Defense of Freedom at a Time of Crisis" statement (http://www.indefenseoffreedom.org/)

A broad coalition of civil rights and civil liberties groups as well as other political, religious, immigration, and related organizations have signed the "In Defense of Freedom at a Time of Crisis" statement.  The diverse coalition has just been established because of concerns about threats to civil liberties as the Nation addresses security and other issues in this time of war.  The newly formed coalition held a press conference on September 20th at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.  

Included in the over 130 groups signing onto the statement are the ACLU, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the Arab American Institute, the Council on Islamic Relations, Gun Owners of America, the Rutherford Institute, Japanese Americans Citizens League, and Americans for Tax Reform.

The text of the statement and the list of supporting organizations is at: (http://www.indefenseoffreedom.org/).  Instructions on how other individuals and organizations can sign onto the pledge are also available at that URL.

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ALA Washington Office, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Suite 403, Washington, D.C. 20004-1701; phone: 202.628.8410 or 800.941.8478 toll-free; fax: 202.628.8419; e-mail: alawash@alawash.org; Web site: http://www.ala.org/washoff.  Executive Director: Emily Sheketoff. Office of Government Relations: Lynne Bradley, Director; Camille Bowman, Mary Costabile, Miriam Nisbet and Claudette Tennant. Office for Information Technology Policy: Rick Weingarten, Director; Jennifer Hendrix and Carrie Russell. ALAWON Editor: Bernadette Murphy.