tremendous
movement has been sweeping the nation. Over 270 cities, towns and village
and four states have passed resolutions defending the Bill of Rights and
the US Constitution from the so-called Patriot Act. Over 48 million people
traversing the entire political spectrum are represented by these
resolutions. Conservative towns like North Pole Alaska, Dallas Texas and
Boise Idaho have passed legislation similar to Resolution 909A which the
New York City Council passed in February, "calling upon federal, state and
local officials, and upon New York City agencies and institutions, to
affirm and uphold civil rights and civil liberties."
The main force behind the passage of this legislation was the New
York City Bill of Rights Defense Campaign (NYCBORDC), which is committed
to restoring and protecting the fundamental rights and liberties of all
citizens that have been curtailed by the US government since the tragic
events of 9/11.
Therefore, it was completely fitting that at a recent City Council
meeting, NYCBORDC was acknowledged with a proclamation.
Deputy Majority Leader Bill Perkins spoke of the remarkable work this
non-partisan, grassroots project of the New York Civil Liberties Union
does in bringing awareness to the violations of people’s civil liberties
and civil rights embodied by the Patriot Act. That includes bringing
attention to individuals identified as enemy combatants who were not
allowed to have legal representation, who, for all practical purposes,
were incarcerated without judge, jury or trial, and who nevertheless
persevered and have been able to highlight the injustice being carried
out against them.
In
accepting the proclamation, NYCBORDC’s Project Director, Atty. Udi Ofer,
stated, "The people of the United States are currently living in a time
of great anxiety when the fear of another terrorist attack looms over
our heads. It is a time when clear and reasonable thinking is needed to
keep our country safe from terror. Unfortunately, just the opposite has
been happening. Fundamental rights and freedoms are being needlessly
sacrificed in the name of national security, and the bottom line is,
none of it is making us any safer."
Ofer said, too, that we are living through a dark period of
constitutional history, and that he has no doubt that in their courses
on constitutional law, the next generation of law students are going to
be studying cases that the Supreme Court will be dealing with this
Spring and in the years to come.
Ofer thanked Perkins and all of the co-sponsors of Resolution 909A
who worked closely with NYCBORDC. "To all of you here, you are true
patriots," he concluded.
On behalf of all the volunteers and the coalition of fifty plus
organizations, Terry Hasan also thanked the City Councilmembers for the
proclamation. "All of us work full time; we have families and
obligations, but we still found the time and energy to do this because
of our commitment to the Bill of Rights and the Constitution," he
declared. "We recognize that the City Council also had this dedication
when it passed the resolution. We thank you for that."
The proclamation, which was read by City Clerk Victor Robles,
concludes: "Whereas, today we honor the New York City Bill of Rights
Defense Campaign, an organization whose contributions have been truly
distinguished and have enriched our City immeasurably. NYCBORDC
exemplifies the very best in civic virtue and is worthy of the esteem of
all New Yorkers. Now, therefore let it be known: that the Council of the
City of New York most gratefully honors the New York City Bill of Rights
Defense Campaign for its outstanding service to the City, state and
nation."
