“This meeting has not been approved by the Attorney General,” free speech attorney Brian Michaels half-jokingly warned an audience of about 200 people last night at a civil liberties forum titled “The Erosion of Human Rights Since September 11” at 180 PLC.
The event, organized by Lane County Bill of Rights Defense Committee, was held on the one-year anniversary of the passing of the USA Patriot Act.
“One year ago, our Bill of Rights became void and prohibited by the Patriot Act,” said Hope Marston, a committee coordinator. She called for members of the community to “put our representatives on notice that we do not support this legislation.”
The committee is currently involved in a campaign to have the Eugene City Council pass a resolution opposing the USA Patriot Act.
The first speaker was Mary Paladino, a member of Eugene Peaceworks and longtime progressive activist. Paladino drew parallels between the current post-Sept. 11, 2001, climate and that of the McCarthy Era, recounting a time when people were followed and their phones tapped because of their political views. She challenged the audience not to be intimidated by the Patriot Act legislation.
“If we allow ourselves to be silenced or pressured into agreement, we have everything to lose,” Paladino said. “We have the power, let’s never stop using it.”
Immigration attorney Teuta Norman described how the Patriot Act has affected U.S. immigration policy. In her own practice, she has noticed that immigrants are more afraid to talk, for fear of being reported to the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Also, Norman warned that international students may encounter more difficulties in extending their stay in order to complete their studies.
“Extension status is being denied more frequently, is limited and harder to come by,” said Norman.
Norman also said the reshuffling of several government agencies that once acted independently into the jurisdiction of the Homeland Defense Department poses a threat to immigrants’ rights.
“I fear that the people that will serve in the Homeland Security Department, including INS, will have an enforcement mentality,” she said, adding that the balance between law enforcement and immigrant assistance will be lost.
Civil rights attorney Lauren Regan and free speech attorney Brian Michaels jointly presented their concerns and critiques of the Patriot Act, saying that it serves more than just an anti-terrorist agenda.
One of the major concerns for civil rights activists, Regan said, is that many legitimate acts of civil disobedience can now be construed as domestic terrorism under the vague terminology of the Patriot Act.
“It is an attempt to use terrorists the way they used communists,” Michaels said, “to erode your civil rights.”
Dave Goldberg is a freelance writer
for the Emerald.