Civil Rights


Secure Flights? Not This Way

Secure Flight and Registered Traveler are the latest in a series of poorly conceived aviation security schemes from the federal government. As we did with CAPPS II , citizens should speak out to stop these programs from taking root.

Related feature: The Dangerous Illusions of CAPPS II

Greens and Gun Owners Unite!

Grassroots resistance to the "Patriot Act" and other assaults on our personal freedoms continues to spread, producing legislative action to scale back the Act and yielding interesting alliances. Four states and almost 350 cities, towns, and counties encompassing 50 million people now have passed resolutions supporting due process and civil liberties. See the Bill of Rights Defense Committee for details on those local initiatives and a regularly updated list of successful efforts.

Security vs. Freedom:
It's a False Choice

The Bush Administration's bid to further restrict Americans' freedom and expand police powers will generate renewed debate about how we should "strike the right balance" between liberty and freedom. Question the premise!
También en español: Un intercambio falso

 

The Domestic Security Enhancement Act (Patriot II)

In February, Americans learned of a leaked Bush Administration document that details plans for another expansion of government power and curtailment of personal liberty. The draft document accompanies our summary of the Act's provisions. Or you can read our commentary on the issue: Orange Alert for Civil Liberties.
También en español: "Alerta Naranja" para las libertades civiles.


Merchandise to revive American Democracy!

Send an important message using a light touch! See our Merchandise Page

Building a Culture of Freedom

Why have recent assaults on our freedom generated such mild reaction? Perhaps we fail to aggressively defend our own Constitutional rights because we don't appreciate their origin and importance.

The Greatest Danger Comes From Within

Does the greatest threat come from terrorism or allowing fear to eviscerate centuries of hard-won freedom?

Constitutional Review for the Bush Administration

Mr Bush and Mr. Ashcroft believe they are entitled to apply the Bill of Rights selectively. The Constitution disagrees.

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Resources


The Bill of Rights of the United States of America
Links to all 50 state Constitutions
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Guide to the "Patriot Act"
(pdf document)

Organizations

Bill of Rights Defense Committee

bordc.orgprovides tools for, and compiles information on grassroots efforts to defend civil liberties nationwide.

The National Lawyers Guild

nlg.orgNLG is a great source of information and support on defending civil liberties. Their "Know Your Rights" primers are essential.

American Civil Liberties Union

aclu.orgThis well-known and important national defender of freedom also has chapters nationwide to address regional issues. Please see our sign-on letter to the ACLU urging them to reverse their position of advocating for "corporate personhood.

The Constitution Society

Constitution.org This definitive resource on the U.S. Constitution has thousands of fascinating documents, dozens of entire books online and more.

The Sentencing Project

SentencingProject.orgconfronts harms of the corporate prison industry, systemic racism, and more

Institute for Women's Policy Research

IWPR.orgprovides information on many women's rights issues

Articles of Note from Other Sources
"National Security Letters" Give FBI Dangerous Power
Bush Critics = Terrorists
The U.S. Surveillance State