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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2003.07.17 - 13002MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #03173 BY: Eric Coleman, District #23 IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS - CIVIL LIBERTIES RESOLUTION To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS the due process and equal protection clauses of the 5th and 14th Amendments to the United States Constitution guarantee certain due process and equal protection rights to all residents of the United States regardless of citizenship or immigration status; and WHEREAS it is an important matter that our country seek a balance between national security and the prevention of discrimination based on race, religion or nationality in the constitutional rights afforded all individuals; and WHEREAS Oakland County is comprised of a diverse and multi-ethnic population, and has experienced first hand the value of immigration to the American way of life; and WHEREAS the recent arrest and detention of individuals without bond or open hearings has caused great concern within communities throughout Michigan; and WHEREAS the recent adoption of the USA Patriot Act and several executive orders may unconstitutionally authorize the federal government to infringe upon fundamental liberties in violation of due process, the right to privacy, the right to counsel, protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, and basic First Amendment freedoms, all of which are guaranteed by the Constitutions of the State of Michigan and the United States; and WHEREAS the citizens of Oakland County are concerned that the actions of the Attorney General of the United States and the United States Justice Department pose significant threats to Constitutional protections. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby rejects racial profiling of any group within our community. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissions urges the United States Federal Government, its various branches, representatives and employees, to act in a fair, open and consistent manner by ensuring that all individuals are afforded their appropriate rights to due process. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners urges its Congressional delegation to work to repeal any sections of the USA Patriot Act or recent executive orders that limit or violate fundamental rights and liberties protected by the Constitutions of the State of Michigan and the United States. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners urges to the extent legally possible, no county or state resources – including law enforcement funds and educational administrative resources – may be used for unconstitutional activities, including but not limited to the following under the USA Patriot Act: (1) Monitoring political and religious gatherings exercising their First Amendment Rights; (2) Obtaining library records, bookstore records, and website activities without proper authorization and without notification; (3) Issuing subpoenas through the United States Attorney's Office without a court's approval or knowledge; (4) Requesting nonconsensual releases of student and faculty records from public schools and institutions of higher learning; and (5) Eavesdropping on confidential communications between lawyers and their clients. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk send copies of this adopted resolution to our U.S. Congressional and Senate representatives, the U.S. Attorney General, and the President of the United States. Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution. COLEMAN, HATCHETT, GREGORY, COULTER, ZACK, JAMIAN, ROGERS The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no objections.