Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Grassroots Opposition to the Patriot Act

Fairfax, Virginia -- a Washington, DC suburb -- has backed off declaring outright opposition to the federal Patriot Act. The Board of Supervisors will only send a letter to their Congressional delegation expressing concerns about it.

In just two years, 389 local governments have passed resolutions asking Congress to repeal or change the Patriot Act. There are 276 efforts underway in other towns. A group calling themselves the Bill of Rights Defense Committee launched the grassroots effort to get cities worked up against the Patriot Act.

The Act's up for reauthorization. Critics say it violates privacy and free speech rights. Backers say it's essential to fight the War on Terror. (Wired.com)

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