The USA Patriot Act One Year Later

(February 2003)

Urszula Masny-Latos, issue editor, writes:

This month Mass Dissent looks at the PATRIOT Act, passed in the frenzied aftermath of September 11th, and at the government's ensuing crack down on the civil liberties of all of us, and particularly on those of Middle Eastern-born
immigrants and visitors.
We start with a powerful article by Nancy Murray from the ACLU of Massachusetts. The article provides disturbing evidence of our government's strong anti-civil liberties tendencies and sentiments, unprecedented in our modern history.
Next, Susan Church presents her case against the new lNS Special Registration program, created together by Attorney General Ashcroft and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The program's discriminatory nature is seen by its
targeting of adult males from predominantly Arab and/or Muslim countries who are required to register with the INS.
We finish the discussion with an article by David Nathanson in which he reports on actions undertaken by a number of cities and towns around New England challenging the PATRIOT Act. Several city and town councils have passed
resolutions rejecting the Act and refusing to comply with its mandates and directives.
There is a lot that can be done to oppose the implementation of the PATRIOT Act and to try to deal with its consequences. Our Chapter has been actively working with many local groups to build a strong movement against the new laws and also to build a strong support movement for those targeted by the government. Guild members are often those first called upon to help those facing the consequences of repressive legislation such as this. We need volunteers who can provide assistance and advice to those who are under attack and we also count on our members for suggestions and ideas on how the work should be done.
If you would like to be involved in any aspect of this important work, please call the office at 617-227-7335.
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