See Related Action

See follow-up article in the Associated Press

May 20, 2005

For immediate Release:
“American Arab Forum urges NJ Legislature to vote for resolution opposing the Patriot Act and urges the public to contact their legislature.”

Contact Aref Assaf, 973-960-2673 allari58@yahoo.com

The American Arab Forum of New Jersey, AAF, commends the introduction of a statewide resolution, which condemns sections of USA PATRIOT Act that may infringe upon constitutional civil rights and liberties and urges Congress to make changes.
The NJ State Assembly will vote soon, possibly as early as June 20, 2005 on resolution AR189, expressing their disapproval of sections of the USA PATRIOT Act that may infringe on our civil rights and liberties and urges Congress to enacts laws to remedy the Act's flagrant violations of the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of New Jersey.
Certain sections of the USA PATRIOT Act, which were enacted in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, may unduly infringe upon the public's right to privacy, right to due process, right to counsel, right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, and right to basic First Amendment freedoms that are guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of New Jersey. AAF Executive Director, Aref Assaf, commented, “It is most fitting that the NJ State Legislature sends a clear message to our federal officials to revisit the egregious aspect of the Act and ensure that the civil liberties of Americans are protected. The delicate balance between liberty and security is a fundamental duty of elected officials.” He also urged all state residents to ask their State representatives to support the measure. Ask him/her to vote for and co-sponsor "Assembly Committee Substitute for AR 189". We join many NJ based civil rights organizations, which have endorsed this resolution- such as the ACLU and Coalition for Peace Action- in asking our Legislator- both Democrat and Republican to endorse the Resolution...
If passed, NJ will join become the sixth state along with over 350 cities and towns, which have passed similar resolutions critical of the Patriot Act. END


American Arab Forum, AAF, is tax-exempt- not-for-profit institution, which is dedicated to promoting a wide range of issues, which concern the Arab American community in NJ. AAF is comprised of leading academics, intellectuals, professionals and community leaders who believe in the need for disseminating accurate and timely information to and about the Arab American community.

 

For more information on the PATRIOT Act:

NJ Assembly Resolution 189

NJ Against Sections of Patriot Act