An organizer of a Patriot Act forum tonight in Carson City hopes the long-term outcome is a city resolution that prioritizes probable cause above the federal government's right to access information under the Patriot Act.
According to Bob Tregilus of the Nevada Campaign to Defeat the Patriot Act, additional legislation approved since the Patriot Act , passed Oct. 25, 2001, further intrudes on citizens' constitutional rights.
"The problem with all this legislation is it's tearing down all the checks and balances that keeps everyone honest," he said.
By having a meeting in Carson City, he hopes more counties in Nevada, in addition to Elko County, which passed a resolution Feb. 18, 2004, will support civil liberties by requiring proof of probable cause from the federal government about suspected terrorists before being asked to provide information or local law enforcement help.
"Clearly our civil liberties and constitutional rights are under attack," he said. "The government has a history of overreacting. We are very concerned that in the rush to be more secure that we're becoming less secure. This opens the floodgates for all types of law enforcement abuse."
A community forum called "Balancing Security & Individual Freedom: A Community Forum on the USA Patriot Act" is scheduled from 7-8:30 p.m. tonight at the Brewery Arts Center.
Tregilus believes Clark and Nye counties will pass resolutions this spring, and said he hopes that if Carson City follows suit, Washoe County would be soon to follow.
"A resolution simply makes an affirmative statement that we uphold the Constitution in our community," he said.
Alaska, Hawaii, Maine and Vermont have passed statewide resolutions and 364 communities and counties nationwide have also done so.
One of the requirements of the Patriot Act is that librarians provide patrons' records to federal agents if requested. That requirements will be addressed by Sara Jones, an administrator of the Nevada State Library.
The other speaker at the forum is Matt Bowles, a national 9/11 field organizer for the American Civil Liberties Union.
Additionally, a short film called "No Check, No Balance," which features clips of the Elko County manager and county commissioners preparing to pass their resolution, will be shown.
Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.
IF YOU GO
What: "Balancing Security & Individual Freedom: A Community Forum on the USA Patriot Act"
Where: Brewery Arts Center, 511 W. King St., Carson City
When: 7-8:30 tonight
Admission: Free
Information: Bob Tregilus at 826-4514.
ON THE NET
ncdpa.org, or bordc.org
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