March 03, 2003
Civil Rights Attacked in Salem
Three bills have
been introduced in Salem that would significantly weaken our Civil Rights.
Currently, Oregon
law 181.575 prohibits
state law enforcement agencies from collecting information about the political,
religious or social views, associations or activities of any individual or group
unless directly related to an investigation of criminal activities.
HB
2554 and 2539 have identical text that would amend 181.575 adding that
collection of information was necessary to comply with a federal officer or
federal agency request. This would be a de facto extension of all federal laws
(i.e. USA Patriot Act) superceding state laws and a federalizing of state law
enforcement for all practical purposes.
HB
2051 would repeal 181.850 which restricts
enforcement of federal immigration laws. Currently the law says that no state
law enforcement agency money, personnel or equipment will be used in the
enforcement of immigration laws. To put the Oregon State Police at the disposal
of the INS in this time of severe budget cuts and staff reductions is
ridiculous.
Both of these bills
will weaken the Civil Rights Resolution passed last month in Ashland.
I urge you to read
the laws and bills and to contact your Representative and urge them to pledge to
vote against these bills. There are many more important issues to discuss and
the sanctity of our civil liberties is not to be tampered with. If you
receive a reply from your representative, please forward it to me and I'll post
it at http://www.johnfricker.com/.
Posted by John at March 3, 2003 11:48 PM
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John,
Firt of all, I would like to congratulate you for the job you have been doing.
Not long ago, in California there were many indigenous people mainly from Oaxaca (70% of population speack an indgenous language as their main way to communicate) who were deported in conjuction with the local police in San Diego. It is being currently investigated by CRLA and FIOB. But we can clearly see law enforcement agents break the "laws" There are many crimes being commited, meanwhile they are acting as INS agents. There are a million important things they should be doing, such as "protecting" the community.
Right now, I'm working on an article that we can share with the farmworkers in Oregon. I would like to know if you can help me on getting an update on this two proposals. Thank you for your help.
