American Libraries Online has an interesting article on AG Ashcroft’s June 19 presentation at the Aspen Institute Journalism and Homeland Security conference. Ashcroft is quoted as stating the following: “The Patriot Act simply does not allow federal law enforcement free or unfettered access to local libraries, bookstores, or other businesses…We need the help of the… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Patriot Act
New Bill on DOJ Oversight for FISA
Rep. Joseph M. Hoeffel (PA) introduced a bill to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to improve the administration and oversight of foreign intelligence surveillance, the Surveillance and Oversight and Disclosure Act of 2003 (SODA). Press release Text of H.R. 2429 (pfd) Law Would Spy on Ashcroft, from Security Focus. Continue Reading
DOJ Net Surveillance Under Fire
From the ACLU: Interested Persons Memo on Congressional oversight of the USA PATRIOT Act and Department of Justice anti-terrorism policies dismissive response on civil liberties. In related news, see this Wired article: “The Justice Department’s statements — and what it did not say — in a congressional inquiry on the use of broadened surveillance powers… Continue Reading
Ashcroft and the Patriot Act Vs. Libraries
According to an article in FCW: “Attorney General John Ashcroft defended the Justice Department’s search of library records under the USA Patriot Act, telling lawmakers the process safeguards individual privacy,” when he testified yesterday before the Judiciary Committee. In related news: Ashcroft Wants Broader Anti-Terror Powers: “Ashcroft told the House Judiciary Committee that the 2001… Continue Reading
Patriot Act Resources for Libraries
The USA PATRIOT Act, and What You Can Do, by Mairi McFall and Karen G. Schneider, CLA Intellectual Freedom Committee Sample Search Warrant Procedures for Libraries by Mary Minow The Library’s Legal Answer Book Continue Reading
More Public Libraries Seek Patriot Act Exemptions
From American Libraries Online: “In independent actions, the Door County (Wis.) and the Livermore (Calif.) public libraries have asked lawmakers to rescind Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act. The section gives federal agents the ability to get a court order to obtain an individuals bookstore or library records without establishing probable cause, and forbids… Continue Reading
DOJ Clarifies Testimony on Library Searches
A DOJ press release dated June 3, states: The New York Times inaccurately reported that Assistant Attorney General Viet Dinh said FBI “agents have contacted about 50 libraries nationwide in the course of terrorism investigations” (Eric Lichtblau, Justise Dept. Lists Use of New Power to Fight Terror, May 21, 2003). The transcript of the hearing,… Continue Reading
Library and Bookseller Protection Act
S.1158, A bill to exempt bookstores and libraries from orders requiring the production of tangible things for foreign intelligence investigations, and to exempt libraries from counterintelligence access to certain records, ensuring that libraries and bookstores are subjected to the regular system of court-ordered warrants, was introduced on May 23 by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA). Continue Reading
Librarians in California Protest Patriot Act
SFGate.com reported on public protests against the Patriot Act by Palo Alto librarians. In addition to the librarians, the article states that the “police chief is supporting a resolution before the Cicty Council next week that would prohibit her department from aiding the FBI in Patriot Act searches, interviews or surveillance without evidence that a… Continue Reading
Vermont Rep. Will Keynote ALA/CLA Conference
Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who sponsored the Freedom to Read Protection Act, (H.R. 1157), will present the keynote at the opening session of the Joint Annual Conference of the American Library Association and Canadian Library Association, in Toronto on June 21. Continue Reading
Alaska Resolution Opposes Patriot Act Surveillance
The Alaska legislature passed House Joint Resolution 22 stating “it is the policy of the State of Alaska to oppose any portion of the USA Patriot Act that would violate the rights and liberties guaranteed equally under the state and federal constitutions.” According to the ACLU, “Alaska’s resolution is the 114th of its kind to… Continue Reading
Judiciary Cmte Oversight on Patriot Act and Terrorism
From a May 20 Judiciary Committee news advisory: “House Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-Wis.) and Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) released the answers received last week from the Justice Department regarding the USA PATRIOT Act and the war on terrorism. Chairman Sensenbrenner and Rep. Conyers wrote Attorney General John Ashcroft on… Continue Reading
