Evanston Passes Resolution Against PATRIOT Act!

The vote was 6-0, with 1 abstention and 2 Alderman not present (9 total). Evanston now joins 107 other cities and one state in the US who have taken a public stand against the PATRIOT Act, and in defense of our constitutionally guaranteed, but often abrogated, civil liberties. See the Bill of Rights Defense Committee (www.bordc.org) for the full list.

The Evanston Civil Liberties Coalition, a loose grouping of concerned citizens and area groups (Neighbors for Peace, Evanston NAACP and the League of Women Voters) worked to get this resolution passed, congratulations to them for their efforts.

At tonight's council meeting, 14 citizens spoke on the issue, all but one in favor of the resolution. Speakers in support of the resolution spoke to the contents of the Act, how it undermines much of the Bill of Rights, and how it's intent is to intimidate people and stiffle dissent. Others spoke on the targeting of immigrant communities since 9/11, and the long and ignoble pattern of repression and erosion of liberties during contentious periods evident throughout our history (Alien & Sedition Act of 1798, Espionage Act of 1917, and the internment of Japanese-Americans in 1942 for example).

The one person opposed seemed to be making the argument that the city council does not have the right to criticize the President or the Congress on matters of National Securtity. Since the council supposedly represents 73,000 Evanston residents, by extension he seemed to me to be saying that we the people do not have the right to criticize the Federal government, an obviously ridiculous and unacceptable position.

Alderman Edmund Moran stated that he had not read the USA PATRIOT Act, and that he was unprepared to vote on the issue one way or another. As the public comment period was over, he wasn't confronted with an obvious question from the community; why wasn't he prepared, when he knew that the resolution was on the evening's agenda? But his position appeared to be exposed when he said that "Tough times call for tough measures," and that the PATRIOT Act should be viewed in light of 9/11 and the war on terrorism.

Alderman Lionel Jean-Baptiste spoke extensively in support of the resolution, invoking Malcolm X on his birthday as a symbol of asking tough questions and questioning authority. The Alderman received loud applause from the citizens in attendance after his comments, and when the resolution passed the whole board received a long ovation.

Although only symbolic, resolutions like this are useful tools for educating the community, as many Americans are still unaware of the PATRIOT Act. Hopefully this will provide the impetus for other communities in Illinois to pass similar resolutions.