Did you know that government agents are allowed, under the Patriot Act, to enter your home or business to conduct secret “sneak and peek” searches? They can seize your papers and personal effects, all without notices or probable cause. This is only one example of the erosion of civil liberties since 9/11.

In response to this attack on the Bill of Rights, AFSC’s Upper New York State Area office has become a founding member of a diverse local coalition that is working to raise awareness about the Patriot Act, and the proposed “Patriot Act 2.”

The goal of the Central New York Bill of Rights Defense Campaign is to get the Syracuse Common Council to pass a resolution condemning the Patriot Act, and instructing government agencies not to comply with it.

Coalition members include the Central New York Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union [NYCLU], the Syracuse Peace Council, Citizens Action Network, CNY Library Resources Council, Office of Black Catholic Ministries, CNY Chapter of the American Muslim Council, and People for Animal Rights.

The campaign kicked off on June 25. Initial steps include: contacting organizations that have a stake in getting rid of the Patriot Act; scheduling public forums to educate the public and the media about the rights curtailed by Patriot Act; and introducing the proposed resolution to Common Council members.

Other New York cities have already adopted resolutions, including Ithaca, New Paltz and Albany. NYCLU is organizing grassroots campaigns in many parts of the state.

We hope that by October, Syracuse will join the list of cities across the country that have taken a stand to defend the Bill of Rights.