Community Resolution for the Town of Orono, ME

RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF ORONO TO DEFEND THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES

We, the members of the Town Council of Orono, Maine, wish to make it known that

WHEREAS, in response to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the United States Congress passed the USA PATRIOT Act (Public Law 107-56: the “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act”) which was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 26, 2001; and

WHEREAS, many residents of Orono and other communities across the nation are concerned that the USA PATRIOT Act threatens our civil liberties;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That We, the Members of the Orono Town Council reaffirm our sworn oaths to defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Maine and our solemn commitment to continue to protect and uphold the civil rights and liberties of Orono citizens that are guaranteed under the state and federal constitutions, including freedom of expression; the right to free access to public information; freedom of association, including the ability to attend meetings without being monitored or belong to an organization without fear of reprisal; freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures, including wiretapping and monitoring of medical records and library records; due process protections, including protection against detention without charges or targeting based on race, religion, ethnicity or national origin; and the right to property, including protection against seizure or freezing of assets; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town of Orono affirms the civil rights granted to all its residents-US citizens and citizens of other nations alike in accordance with the Bill of Rights and Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Council of Orono encourages the Orono Police Department to continue its policy of:

· Respecting and protecting freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and privacy;
· Guaranteeing the right to counsel and due process in judicial proceedings;
· Prohibiting unreasonable searches and seizures; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Council of Orono requests that Maine’s Congressional Delegation monitor the implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act and the associated orders and rules of the Executive Branch and actively work for the repeal of those portions of the Act and those orders and rules that violate the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Clerk communicate this resolution to Maine’s Congressional Delegation, the Governor and Attorney General of Maine, Orono’s Police Chief, the local US Attorney’s Office, the local office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Chief of the Maine State Police.
Signed this 14th day of June, 2004 on behalf of the Orono Town Council.

Witness : ________________________
Town Clerk

Signed: __________________________
Chairman of Council