TSHAPIN@beckman.com (06/19/91)
"The Biden Bill is aimed at citizens who would lend material
support for groups such as the FMLN in El Salvador, the ANC in
South Africa or ``domestic terrorists'' such as Earth First!,
Act-Up or the Sanctuary Movement. It would make such support a
crime punishable by up to ten years in prison..."
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COUNTER-TERRORISM ACT OF 1991
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S. 266 was introduced by Senators Biden and DeConcini. The Bush
administration has submitted a proposal to Congress for using
secret evidence and secret proceedings to deport foreign
nationals in the U.S. whom the government asserts have engaged in
``terrorism.'' The proposal is part of the Administration's
comprehensive crime package that is itself a thinly disguised
assault on civil liberties.
An identical version is included in the ``Terrorism Death Penalty
Act of 1991'' introduced by Senator Thurmond (S.265), now a part
of the ``Counter-terrorism Act of 1991'' of Senators Biden and
DeConcini (S.266) and presently pending in the Senate Judiciary
Committee.
The Administration proposal would establish a special court to
conduct secret trials to deport persons in the U.S. who have not
been convicted or even charged with any crime. Under this
authority, the I.N.S. could deport any foreign national whom the
government asserts is a terrorist, which in the Administration's
view includes political supporter of any organization it deems
terrorist.
The charge of terrorism may be base on ``secret evidence'', which
may consist of nothing more than allegations from the government
of the alien's native country in an effort to secure his
deportation back to the country from which he or she may have
fled. The alien would never know what the charges were, where
they originated, or what they were based upon.
More disturbing is the government's sweeping interpretation of
the word ``terrorism.'' To the I.N.S. ``terrorist activity''
includes fund raising or recruiting members for any
organization or government body that has engaged in unlawful
violent activity as defined by their own country. Thus the
definition turns not on what a person has done but with whom
he or she is associated.
These Bills target not only foreign nationals, but American
citizens too. The Biden Bill is aimed at citizens who would lend
material support for groups such as the FMLN in El Salvador, the
ANC in South Africa or ``domestic terrorists'' such as Earth
First!, Act-Up or the Sanctuary Movement. It would make such
support a crime punishable by up to ten years in prison. This
legislation treads upon our First Amendment right of Freedom of
Association. If the trial is secret, who is to know if the
government's ``evidence'' establishes actual criminal activity or
seeks to penalize a person for having associated with the
``wrong'' groups?
As citizens or immigrants alike, we should oppose this
legislation from the point of view of basic human rights. Are we
prepared to let happen in the U.S. what we stridently oppose in
the Middle East, Asia and Africa?. These Bills are set to be
debated now in the Senate and then in the House of
Representatives in the next months. Contact your
Congressperson or Senator. Educate yourself and others on this
bill.} If this Bill is not defeated, a Kuwait-style inquisition
may not be far off. Ask all key Senators to defeat bills S.265
and S.266. Demand the complete removal} of TITLE VII from
``Crime Control Act of 1991'' as it promotes a police state on
the pretense of dealing with terrorism. Write to the media about
this attack on the bill of rights.
For information call:
202 675-2319 Center for Constitutional Rights.
213 413-2935 Committee for Justice.
202 224-2135 House of Representatives.
= end =
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More Numbers:
Local number of U.S. Congress switchboard (202) 224-3121
[When you reach the Capitol Hill switchboard, simply ask to be
connected to the office of the Member, Senator or committee you
want to reach. Please call during normal business hours on the
East Coast.]
White House: (202)-456-7639
The White House Comments line is (202)-456-1111
(9 am- 5 pm Monday-Friday).
==================================================================
Date: Fri, 21 Dec 90 01:18:29 CST
** TOPIC: BUSH'S FAX NUMBER **
** Written 3:03 pm Dec 20, 1990 by hfrederick in cdp:pn.announcements **
Information capture off Bitnet:
George knows better than to have an e-mail address to where his
fellow citizens could write to him all day, every day.
But you can FAX him, at 202-456-2461.
Or talk to his Public Comment staff, at 202-456-1111.
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