ACLU wants gag order lifted in Patriot Act case

[Eugene]

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/connecticut/ny-bc-ct--patriotact-record0831aug31,0,6524959.story?coll=ny-region-apconnecticut

ACLU wants gag order lifted in Patriot Act case

By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN
Associated Press Writer

August 31, 2005, 3:32 PM EDT

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- The American Civil Liberties Union urged a
federal judge Wednesday to lift a gag order on a client of whom the
FBI is demanding records about library patrons under the Patriot Act.

Federal prosecutors say allowing that could tip off suspects and
jeopardize a federal investigation into terrorism or spying.

"It is a very logical assumption that the individual who is under
investigation will learn that he is under investigation," said
Connecticut U.S. Attorney Kevin O'Connor. "That individual is likely
to stop doing what he is doing."

The ACLU claims the gag order is preventing the client from
participating in a debate over the Patriot Act, which Congress is
considering reauthorizing.

The client wants to tell the world that the government used the
Patriot Act when it shouldn't have, said ACLU Associate Legal Director
Ann Beeson.

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[Iowa]

1. Good going ACLU! (eom)

[struggle4progress]

2. kick