Pittsburgh protests Patriot Act

The city is the 296th U.S. community to pass such a resolution, the ACLU said.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- City council has unanimously approved a nonbinding resolution condemning the Patriot Act, the second major city in this swing state to do so.
The vote came Monday, one week after President Bush visited Hershey to deliver an impassioned address supporting the anti-terrorist law that gives the federal government expanded surveillance and detention powers.
In joining Philadelphia and five other Pennsylvania municipalities to condemn the Patriot Act, Pittsburgh became the 296th community nationwide to pass such a resolution, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
Statewide resolutions have been passed in Alaska, Hawaii, Vermont and Maine, according to the ACLU.
The resolution, sponsored by Councilman William Peduto, states that provisions in the Patriot Act "threaten fundamental rights and liberties."
Asks city police actions
It asks that the city police seek written assurances from the federal government that city residents not be subjected to military detention and also asks that police not participate in the government's "Terrorism Information and Prevention System," a citizen watch program.
The resolution also recommends that all libraries within the city post notices that read, "WARNING: Section 215 of the federal USA PATRIOT Act greatly expands the authority of federal agents to obtain records of books and other materials you borrow from this library. This law prohibits librarians from informing you."
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania criticized the resolution, saying it was based on misinformation. The Patriot Act actually preserves civil liberties, said U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan.
"Councilman Peduto's resolution does nothing to enhance civil rights, but by asking that the city police not cooperate with federal authorities, the resolution hampers cooperative law enforcement in Pittsburgh," Buchanan said in a faxed statement.
Councilman Doug Shields, who helped to bring the resolution to the floor, read aloud the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable search and seizure. Shields harshly criticized rules that allow agencies to search property without the owners' immediate knowledge.
"This is it folks," he said. "These are the directions. When all else fails, please read them."
Buchanan said searches must still be approved by a judicial officer.
About 25 students, clergy, educators and others spoke out against the Patriot Act during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Many said the city had not acted quickly enough in voting on the resolution.
"I am here because many people in the immigrant community have been targeted," said Ana Cecilia Wheeler, who addressed City Council before the vote. "I think that you are not paying attention. I think that you are not protecting us."
City Council also passed a second resolution that supports the government's fight against terrorism.
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