ACLU of Oregon Offers Free Attorneys to Targets of Justice Department “Dragnet” Investigation

ACLU ^ | 11/30/01 | ACLU staff

[LarryLied]

PORTLAND, OR--The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon announced today that it has recruited more than 20 attorneys from around the state who have volunteered to represent without charge more than 200 individuals in the state who expect to be contacted for interviews as part of a Justice Department “dragnet” investigation.

“The goal of the ACLU of Oregon is to help individuals provide the information that the federal government really needs while also protecting the legal rights of those who are interviewed,” said ACLU of Oregon Executive Director David Fidanque. “We have been in contact with members of the Muslim and Middle Eastern communities who want to cooperate with law enforcement officials, but also want to ensure that the legal rights of individuals are protected.”

The ACLU applauded the Portland, Corvallis and Hillsboro police departments for choosing not to participate in the dragnet investigation. “We are proud that Oregon cities were among the first in the nation to point out the problems with the Justice Department's tactics,” Fidanque said. “They are no longer alone. San Francisco, San Jose and Detroit are among the other cities that have chosen not to participate at this time, and we hope others will follow.

Nevertheless, the interviews ordered by Attorney General Ashcroft are already underway and will be completed by other federal, state and local law enforcement agents.

Individuals who are contacted by the FBI or other law enforcement personnel should telephone the nearest ACLU of Oregon office. The ACLU will attempt to refer those individuals to appropriate attorneys as quickly as possible so that they can get the legal advice they need and appropriately comply with the Justice Department request for interviews.

Nationwide, the ACLU has produced and distributed a “Know Your Rights” pamphlet aimed at educating targeted communities of their rights during a police investigation. It is available in English, Arabic and Spanish and can be downloaded at:

http://www.aclu.org/news/2001/n111401a.html

---

11-30-01 -- ACLU Applauds Local Police Departments for Refusing to Join in Justice Department "Dragnet"

NEW YORK--The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded local police departments that have refused to cooperate with a Justice Department dragnet investigation of 5,000 immigrants, saying that the police should not be asked to ignore basic legal procedures or to use ethnic and racial origin as the basis for suspicion.

11-30-01 -- ACLU Urges Congress to Leash New Military Tribunals, Reestablish Oversight

WASHINGTON -- The American Civil Liberties Union called on the nation’s legislature to resume its oversight responsibilities over the Administration and place a leash on the President’s highly controversial military tribunal order.

11-29-01 -- Michigan Civil Rights Groups Announce “Know Your Rights” Hotline for Targets of Dragnet Investigation

DETROIT--Citing growing concerns over law enforcement’s persistent targeting and ongoing detention of Middle Eastern men, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan today announced the creation of a "Know Your Rights" telephone hotline.

11-29-01 -- ACLU of Illinois “Disappointed” by Expanded Surveillance Authority in State Anti-Terrorism Bill

CHICAGO -- In a statement today, Colleen K. Connell, Executive Director of the ACLU of Illinois, said, "We are disappointed that the Illinois General Assembly today approved House Bill 2299, a measure expanding state and local police authority to monitor and record conversations without traditional safeguards."

11-29-01 -- Justice Department's Immigration Moves Misleading, Inconsistent

WASHINGTON -- In a statement today, Lucas Guttentag, Director of the ACLU's Immigrants Rights Project, said, "The Justice Department's latest moves are more suggestive of a sting operation than an effort to collect important information in the ongoing terrorism investigation."

11-28-01 -- As Senate Convenes Hearings, ACLU Asks Congress To Protect Civil Liberties, Balance of Powers

WASHINGTON -- As the Senate convened a series of oversight hearings into the government's terrorism-related activities, the American Civil Liberties Union today strongly urged Congress to act to ensure that the war against terrorism not become a war against democracy.

[LarryLied]

The enemy never rests.

[JD86]

Isn't that sweet?

[JD86]

It says "free attorneys". Don't worry. My granddaddy always told me "You get what you pay for."

[JD86]

ping

[LarryLied]

But ACLU lawyers don't represent their alleged clients. They have higher goals than that.

[Reagan is King]

That's great, let's give them about 5,000 suspects to defend and they won't have time to
screw up anything else in this country.

[JD86]

But my granddaddy was a very smart man. You are right they always have an agenda....but most of them are also lawyers who can't get a "real job". They are mainly a nuisance.. like a gnat on the body politic...if not gnats...what are those wiggly white things in spoiled meat...?? Some kind of parasite, can't remember the name.

[Howlin]

So, in addition to The New York Times, I guess we can put the ACLU down under the AGAINST US column.

[Howlin]

This is a serious question: when people come here on visas, aren't there rules and regulations that they have to abide by -- don't they have to check in or something? (I know it's silly, but I really want to know!)

[JD86]

A perfectly logical question...but unfortunately I don't think so...how else did all these people overstay their visas? I know when they come into the country they have a specified length of time they are allowed to stay. And I think the INS keeps up with the ones here on work visas, at least to some extent. But from what I have read in the past two months, I don't think there is any tracking of student visa holders...or of just visitors. If anyone else knows otherwise, please post your information.

[irish_lad]

I agree. We know where the ACLU stands so as an enemy of the US, they should be dealt with accordingly.

Never forget, never forgive, let's roll.

[LarryLied]

I'm not so sanguine about the ACLU lawyers. Yeah, they might have twenty hacks in Oregon. Or they might have one (they are known for disinformation). But they have the money to hire hundreds of the best lawyers in the country if it suits their needs. 30 years ago, the ACLU was a nuisance. . Now it is a threat to the body politic. The change has occurred because they now have virtually unlimited funding. The porno business in America nets hundreds of billions every year. The ACLU gets a cut of that. The drug trade is even more lucrative. The ACLU gets a cut of that. Activist left wing homosexuals are very well funded and the ACLU gets their money. It is a mistake to dismiss they power of the ACLU. They buy and sell people everyday.

[JD86]

You make them sound like Jesse Jackson's twin.

[LarryLied]

Isn't this sweet? The two most destructive forces in America are the ACLU and the NEA. Do a post on either and you are lucky to get two dozens conservatives to comment. They are all off talking about who was the best guitarist in the last 30 years. Maybe that is good. Perhaps it shows we are winning.

[nopardons]

And some people, here , want PUBLIC trials, as opposed to Military Tribunals ? It makes one wonder just which side they are on. Maybe they also like the ACLU. LOL

[nopardons]

Are you thinking of maggots ? They aren't " parasites " , though. They eat decomposing flesh.

[JD86]

What is really so sad about organizations (and I use that word advisely, because they are more like RICO's) like the ACLU, Jackson's scams, the NEA...the Red Cross...any huge non-profit organization.....is that they have the opportunity to do unlimited harm because they have access to unlimited funds......

maybe we should start a conservative non-profit and give them a run for their money on the issues that matter....

[5by5]

List The ACLU as an organization that aids terrorists and freeze their assets.

[zip]

ACLU has been on the anti American side so often that I usually take the opposing viewpoint on any of their "suits". I can depend on their bias to guide me away from the wrong side.

Keep me informed of further developments. Thx