CCMIN080503 - Laserfiche WebLink

impact. She said if one resident comes before Council, it seldom changes a decision. However, if a whole neighborhood comes to speak in one voice, Council often changes its decision. Pleasanton is a neighborhood in the community of America. If enough neighbors stand together, their voices are stronger before elected officials in Washington. When cities band together to express concerns in Washington, she felt the hearing process would be greatly enhanced. She felt if citizens were more informed about the contents of the Patriot Act and its impacts on citizens, they would be more inclined to have Council take action. She felt the world will never be rid of terrorism so long as there are people oppressed and hatred thrives. Council took an oath to defend the Constitution and she urged Council to support the action of the Library Commission. Bob Lane, 5117 Independence Drive, indicated he was a member of SAVOR (Save Our Rights) that is trying to educate people about the Patriot Act. He applauded the Commission for its actions. He thanked staff for the extensive staff report. He noted a portion of the report referred to how many times the Patriot Act had been used and noted that secrecy is part of the Act, so no librarian can say when the Act was used. The Patriot Act is a bad law, whether it is used much or not. The major concern is Section 215, which removes the requirement for probable cause before the government can review records. The government can say it needs the records for a terrorist investigation or an investigation into "clandestine intelligence activities". That phrase is not defined in the Patriot Act. It also reduces the role of courts. With the probable cause requirement, a judge might determine that probable cause has not been established and could refuse to issue a warrant. With the Patriot Act, the government can merely say the records are part of an investigation and not present any evidence. He noted that the person whose records are sought does not have to be a target of the investigation. People who have had their records seized are not informed that they have been affected and would have no opportunity to challenge the order in court. Congress' role has also been reduced because the Justice Department refuses to give information on how many times the Patriot Act has been used, claiming it is classified. His organization is concerned there is an enormous expansion of the govemment's investigative powers without any checks which are used in other investigative processes like a search warrant. The freedom to read is basic to what defines this country. He referred to a book about women in Iran who met in secret to discuss books because they did not want the government to know what they were reading. Now the Patriot Act poses the same kind of specter in this country. He urged Council to consider merging the language in options 2 and 3 of the staff report. Matt Sullivan, 7882 Flagstone Drive, also thanked the Library Commission in speaking out on this issue. They did their research and have presented a balanced plan of action. They have proved this is a local issue and what action needs to be taken to protect the rights of the residents. He felt this was a much broader issue than the library and felt that discussion should be held at the City Council level. This is a good first step. He wanted to send a message to our national leaders that a living and viable democracy is important to the Pleasanton City Council. Kurt Kummer, 4456 Clovewood Lane, indicated he is in the library frequently and has not seen anyone complain they could not read something. There have been many generalizations and blanket condemnations of the Patriot Act. He did not think any law-abiding citizen had been denied the opportunity to say, think or read anything because of the Act. Council should not be Pleasanton City Council 19 08/05/03 Minutes