The Grassroots Resistance To The Patriot Act

[Itsthetruth]

CounterPunch
April 5, 2005

A Model for Political Organizing When There's No Party of Opposition
The Grassroots Resistance to the Patriot Act
By DAVE LINDORFF

According to records maintained by an organization called the Bill of Rights Defense Committee, as of April of this year, 372 towns, cities and counties, and five of the 50 states, have passed laws in one way or another declaring themselves to be "Patriot Act free zones."

These states and communities, which collectively include 57 million people, or nearly a quarter of the U.S. population, are as diverse politically as they could possibly be. The states, for example, include Alaska, Idaho and Arizona, all staunchly conservative and Republican (the Arizona legislature recently passed its anti-Patriot Act legislation unanimously!), and California and Hawaii, both liberal and Democratic. Communities which have passed such ordinances are similarly diverse, ranging from ultra-liberal San Francisco and Cambridge to ultra-conservative Dallas and Savannah.

The Bill of Rights Defense Committee, as well as organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the Friends Committee on National Legislation, have done a good job of spreading the word about resistance to the USA PATRIOT Act. The BRDC in particular has helped by making a model ordinance or resolution available and by offering organizing tips and instructions (http://www.bordc.org/Tools.htm), based upon experience, for those who wish to have their communities added to this movement of resistance.

The grassroots campaign to oppose the USA PATRIOT Act is a remarkable effort, particularly given the way it has been virtually ignored by the mainstream corporate media. Its primary focus on local organizing, rather than directly on Congress, is also a model for political struggle in an era when there is no effective opposition party in Washington, as is its ability to unite people of diverse and antagonistic political perspectives.

http://www.counterpunch.org/lindorff04052005.html

[Selatius]

1. Local politics is still salvageable; national politics is a disgrace, imho

The party leadership in Congress over the last 30 years has been suffering from incompetence and corruption. There were warnings as far back as the 1970s that the right was organizing for a comeback, especially with the emergence of the first rightwing think tanks and foundations funded by reclusive industrialist families and individuals. What were the leaders doing about this in the 1970s and 1980s?

Jack shit. Either they knew and failed with execution, or they knew and intentionally failed because they were on the take with corporate contributions. Chances are it was a bit of both.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

2. It was the Patriot Act

that pretty much turned me into a card carrying member of the ACLU!I'd like to see every state pass legislation overriding the Patriot Act. :)
That would send a message to those in power.......