Milwaukee Resolution Advances Safety and Freedom
March 2, 2004
The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin hails the City of Milwaukee
Common Council for adopting on March 2, 2004 a resolution affirming civil
rights and civil liberties. Sections of the USA PATRIOT Act and related
federal practices and executive orders threaten all United States residents,
including Milwaukeeans, by undermining their civil liberties in the name
of the so-call war on terrorism. In passing the resolution without opposition
on Tuesday, March 2, 2004, the City of Milwaukee joins the ranks of over
250 local and state government bodies, whom have expressed concern for
the rights and liberties of their residents.
A Comprehensive Resolution "with teeth" Passed
This resolution expresses the Council's concern and articulates constitutional
principles that are crucial to keeping Milwaukeeans safe and free. Not
only this, but the Council's resolution goes on to make several specific
requests:
It calls upon Wisconsin's congressional delegation to monitor implementation
of the USA PATRIOT Act,
It calls upon these federal legislators' to actively seek repeal of those
sections of the Act that infringe on rights and liberties,
It urges them to support the Security and Freedom Ensured Act of 2003
and specifically calls upon House Judiciary Committee chair F. James Sensenbrenner
(R-Menomonee Falls) to schedule hearings on the SAFE Act,
It expresses the City's opposition to any unfunded mandates instructing
local police to enforce complex civil immigration laws, and
It calls upon federal authorities to report to the Council on antiterrorism
activities in Milwaukee.
The Milwaukee resolution to defend civil liberties is one of the most
comprehensive and proactive in the nation.
Advocates Pull Together As Leaders on Council Steer
The ACLU of Wisconsin working in coalition with Peace Action Wisconsin
and the National Lawyers Guild (Milwaukee branch) urged the Council to
act in a bold way.
Fortunately, council members Don Richards, Michael D'Amato, and Michael
Murphy worked well together and with other council members to move a resolution
forward.
The Council's Judiciary and Legislation Committee held a hearing on the
resolution on February 24, 2004. ACLU of Wisconsin Legal Director Larry
Dupuis told the committee that the effects of the Act were an appropriate
concern for the Council because the City is a member of the Wisconsin
Joint Terrorism Task Force, which under the leadership of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation implements the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act
in the City. Attorney Dupuis urged the Committee members to use the City's
influence to resist interference from federal authorities that may jeopardize
the rights of Milwaukee residents and organizations without necessarily
making the city any safer. After hearing other testimony, including that
of Peace Action Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Police Department, the Committee
refined the original version of the resolution.
On March 2, 2004 Alderman Murphy introduced the substitute resolution
that advocates and council members preferred. Ultimately all Committee
members became co-sponsors of the resolution. The resolution passed without
opposition from those in attendance. Council members Breier and Nardelli
abstained. See the Minutes of the Common Council's deliberations by visiting
the Common Council's web
page.
ACLU of Wisconsin Seeks to Use and Replicate the Resolution
The ACLU of Wisconsin will now work with city authorities to implement
or monitor sections of the act. The ACLU of Wisconsin is also working
with other Wisconsin communities to adopt strong resolutions now that
Milwaukee has joined Douglas County and Madison in doing so.
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