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Pink Spider
02-27-2004, 09:05 PM
Posted on Thu, Feb. 26, 2004

Dallas council votes for resolution denouncing federal Patriot Act

By Bill Miller

Star-Telegram Dallas Bureau

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/8045589.htm


DALLAS - After a round of impassioned debate, a resolution denouncing the USA Patriot Act was approved Wednesday in a 9-6 vote of the Dallas City Council.

In approving the resolution, Dallas joins three states and 225 local governments that have taken stands against the Patriot Act.

The measure states that city officials will uphold citizens' constitutional rights and monitor the implementation of the act.

It does not, however, have authority over the federal legislation.

The Patriot Act, passed soon after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, must be reauthorized periodically by Congress.

It expands law-enforcement officers' surveillance and investigative powers, allowing them to, for example, examine library patrons' records.

It has been criticized by some civil-rights organizations, including the Bill of Rights Defense Committee, which was represented at the council meeting by dozens of people dressed in blue shirts and waving small American flags.

Fourteen people were allowed to speak on the issue, but only Ray Trap spoke in favor of the Patriot Act.

He said its critics represented a narrow special-interest group that was trying to assail President Bush during an election year.

"There is no obvious evidence that this [resolution] reflects the will of the people," he said.

Councilman James Fantroy responded by being the first of several council members and speakers who linked the resolution to the civil rights movement.

"I remember when the majority was for slavery," he said. "So the majority is not always right. I don't have anything against President Bush; I have a disagreement with the Patriot Act."

Mayor Laura Miller and council members Lois Finkelman, Veletta Forsythe Lill and Gary Griffith noted that while they are no less concerned about civil liberties, the City Council has no authority over the actions of Congress and should focus on municipal issues.

Councilman Bill Blaydes supported the act in an emotional recounting of how poor intelligence capabilities kept U.S. officials from detecting the Sept. 11 threat and from finding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

His voice quavered while declaring support of relatives in the military and their fellow troops.

"They are red, yellow, black and white," Blaydes said. "They are facing an enemy that is killing our soldiers at random, without respect to race, creed or color."

Councilman Mitchell Rasansky, who later voted against the resolution, rose and placed his hands on Blaydes' shoulders.

"This," said Blaydes, crying, "is not a social-conscience issue."

Councilman John Loza, a leading proponent of the resolution thanked Blaydes for his heartfelt comments.

He added, however, that the resolution was aimed at respecting the rights of others by protecting their civil liberties.

"As far as I'm concerned, there is no more important issue to come before this horseshoe," Loza said.