ACLU Forum on Terrorism and Civil Liberties

November 1, 2001, 10:00 AM
Washington Court Hotel
525 New Jersey Avenue NW

The nation was deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic events of September 11th. Since the attacks, we have all had to adjust to a higher level of security in activities ranging from airline travel to opening mail. In the midst of this national crisis, Congress is right to examine and reinforce our collective security, but not at the price of our liberty. We can be both safe and free.

Throughout American history, real or perceived threats to domestic security have triggered assaults on civil liberties. Most recently, in the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing, several bills were signed into law that eroded the civil liberties of people in the United States. Among the most dangerous of these laws were the Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, which stripped the federal judiciary of its traditional authority to safeguard our constitutional rights.

Now, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, we face a similar situation. In the name of anti-terrorism, Congress is poised to send legislation to the President that will give the government expanded power to invade our privacy, imprison people without due process and punish dissent. And this has happened at great speed with little public discussion or debate.

Please join us for a discussion about the tensions between public safety and individual rights and to receive a new comprehensive report examining the consequences of the 1996 anti-terrorism legislation.

Panelists will include:
Anthony Romero, Executive Director, ACLU
Laura Murphy, Legislative Director, ACLU
Ronald H. Weich, Esq., Partner, Zuckerman Spaeder LLP
Laurie Kozuba, Executive Director, Citizens and Immigrants for Equal Justice and someone with personal experience with immigration law

To attend, please email Jason@publicinterestpr.com.

Form more information about the ACLU please visit ACLU.org.

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