Left-Right Coalition Resists President Bush's Call to Renew USA Patriot Act

Interview with Charlie Mitchell, legislative counsel with the American Civil Liberties Union, conducted by Scott Harris

In his State of the Union address delivered to the nation on Jan. 20, President Bush called on Congress to renew key provisions of the USA Patriot act set to expire next year. Bush stated that the Patriot Act provided the tools needed by law enforcement to protect Americans from future terrorist attacks.

But more than two years after Sept. 11 and quick congressional passage of the Patriot Act, a grassroots coalition of civil liberties advocates from across the political spectrum have been increasingly critical of the legislation that they assert weakens protections embodied in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Among the provisions of the Act that most concern activists are Section 215, which allows the FBI to collect evidence and private records without judicial review.

Around the country more than 230 local governments -- and three state legislatures -- have passed resolutions condemning the Patriot act. Between the Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Charlie Mitchell, legislative counsel with the American Civil Liberties Union, who explains why the ACLU and other groups oppose the president's call to make the USA Patriot Act a permanent part of American law.

Contact the ACLU by calling (212) 549-2500 or visit their Web site at: www.aclu.org

Related links:



Center for Constitutional Rights at www.ccr-ny.org

Bill of Rights Defense Committee at www.bordc.org

"Federal Court in Los Angeles Declares Key Provision of the USA PATRIOT Act Unconstitutional," Center for Constitutional Rights, Jan. 26, 2004

"Critics Charge that FBI Spying on Peace Groups Chills Free Speech,"Between The Lines interview with Barbara Olshansky, attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights, conducted by Scott Harris, week ending 12/12/03

"Patriot Act Expansion Moves Through Congress," by Jim Lobe, OneWorld.net, Nov, 21, 2003

"Federal Court Upholds Secret Detentions; Another Victory for White House Measures Eroding Civil Liberties," Between The Lines interview with the ACLU's Arthur Spitzer, conducted by Scott Harris, week ending July 4, 2003

"Critics Say White House Successor to USA Patriot Act Threatens Further Erosion of Civil Liberties," Between The Lines interview with Nancy Chang, Center for Constitutional Rights, conducted by Scott Harris, week ending Feb. 28, 2003

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