Aztec, NM City Council Resolution

Resolution 2003-585
City of Aztec Resolution to Protect Civil Liberties and the Bill of Rights

WHEREAS the City of Aztec is proud of its long and distinguished tradition of protecting the civil rights and liberties of its residents;

WHEREAS the City of Aztec has a diverse population, including legal immigrants and students, whose contributions to the community are vital to its economy, culture and civic character;

WHEREAS the preservation of civil rights and liberties is essential to the well-being of a democratic society;

WHEREAS federal, state and local governments should protect the public from terrorist attacks such as those that occurred on September 11, 2001, but should do so in a rational and deliberative fashion to ensure that any new security measure enhances public safety without impairing constitutional rights or infringing on civil liberties;

WHEREAS the Commission of the City of Aztec believes that there is no inherent conflict between national security and the preservation of liberty - Americans can be both safe and free;

WHEREAS the Commission has concerns about some of the provisions of the federal USA PATRIOT ACT (Public Law 107-56);

WHEREAS many other communities throughout the country have enacted resolutions reaffirming support for civil rights and civil liberties in the face of government policies that threaten these values, and demanding accountability from law enforcement agencies regarding their use of these new powers;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AZTEC:

1. AFFIRMS its strong support for fundamental constitutional rights and its opposition to federal measures that infringe on civil liberties.

2. AFFIRMS its strong support for the rights of legal immigrants and opposes measures that single out individuals for legal scrutiny or enforcement activity based on their country of origin.

3. DIRECTS public libraries within the City of Aztec to post in a prominent place within the library a notice to library users as follows: ""WARNING: Under Section 215 of the federal USA PATRIOT Act (Public Law 107-56), records of the books and other materials you borrow from this library may be obtained by federal agents. That federal law prohibits librarians from informing you if federal agents have obtained records about you. Questions about this policy should be directed to: Attorney General John Ashcroft, Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20530";