Save Our Civil Liberties

[hyperliminal.livejournal.com]

http://www.saveourcivilliberties.org/petition

The Boston City Council is voting on this issue tonight, so any new signatures to the petition would be welcome, though whether or not the resolution passes the more signatures, the stronger the statement. We're all going to be affected by the "security" measures for the DNC, not least of which the T searches. See the petition site for full details. Essentially, it's a petition in support of a Boston City Council resolution supporting the Consitutional rights of citizens even amidst the DNC security crackdown. Gee, you'd think that wouldn't be so controversial...

From the site:
The resolution is aimed at ensuring that constitutional rights are upheld during the Democratic National Convention in Boston. As a response to the pattern of abuses at large events where national law enforcement agencies have been involved, the resolution calls upon the city to protect several areas of our civil liberties. Specifically, the resolution calls upon the City of Boston to ensure that there are:

* No restrictions on the freedom of movement and the freedom of association
* No unnecessary uses of force and uses of so-called 'less-lethal' weapons
* No uses of surveillance, harassment and intimidation or disruption to meeting places
* No false arrests, pre-emptive arrests or uses of malicious prosecution
* No violations of the rights of arrestees
* No deliberate disinformation given to the Public and Media by police

Comments

[overstim.livejournal.com]

I dont want people to think Im not for civil liberties. Far from it. Im as distressed with the state of things lately as the next person.

But should there honestly have to be a resolution making the government re-promise to uphold our freedoms? Come on, if you have that little trust and respect for the government, why are you still a citizen of it?

[hyperliminal.livejournal.com]

The government has already abused that trust many times over. See for example the arrests and false charges of protesters at the RNC convention in Philly 4 years ago, or the "Miami Model" of dissent suppression at the Miami G8 more recently, and you see why the distrust is founded. We have a long history in this country of abusing the rights of minorities and political dissenters (eg the fiascos of COINTELPRO in which the FBI infiltrated and disrupted civil rights organizations in the 60's and 70's).

Why still be a citizen? Gee, to try to make changes within a country that I still love, regardless of issues I have with its government. "Why still be a citizen" is an odd question to ask of someone doing something that shows a dedication to civic engagement.

[hammercock.livejournal.com]

"Why still be a citizen" is an odd question to ask of someone doing something that shows a dedication to civic engagement.

Yeah, another version of "love it or leave it" is NOT what this country needs.

A few years ago, I used to think the only people who put "I love my country but fear my government" bumper stickers on their cars were Libertarian wackos and the kinds of people who joined groups like the Michigan Militia. Now I'm wondering where I can get one to put on MY car.

[overstim.livejournal.com]

Asking the gov. to reaffirm already standing declarations just doesnt sound like making changes to me. The Civil Rights movement didnt accomplish anything with paperwork.

[siderea]

Well, the Civil Rights movement accomplished much through civil disobedience, which generally requires leaders. You decide what you're willing to be arrested for, and let us know where and when, and we'll decide if we want to show up to get arrested, too. :)

No doubt you're doing a lot of very effective things to protect our Civil Liberties, it's just that, for some wacky reason, you completely forgot to post about them here to spread the word to your fellow activists, or otherwise mention them as positive alternatives you would advance as superior appproaches to the one you are criticizing. Surely that is the case, because otherwise you'd just be being a pointless whinger pissing into others' soup to no particular profit. So perhaps you could share with us some of those better ideas you have been working on, with instructions on how to join in on your efforts?