Date: Tue, 13 May 2003 18:18:07 -0400 From: "The American Civil Liberties Union" To: "The American Civil Liberties Union" Subject: support H.R. 1157, the Freedom to Read Protection Act Thank you for using The American Civil Liberties Union Mail System Message sent to the following recipients: Rep. Capuano Message text follows: Matthew Belmonte [address] May 13, 2003 [recipient address was inserted here] [recipient name was inserted here], I urge you to support the "Freedom to Read Protection Act" (HR. 1157). This act would restore key constitutional protections removed by the USA PATRIOT Act by exempting libraries and bookstores from the laws that allow the FBI to conduct searches of personal records without probable cause of criminal activity. Resolutions against the PATRIOT Act have passed in 104 communities in 24 states -- including one state-wide resolution in Hawaii. These communities represent approximately 11.1 million people who are concerned about the USA PATRIOT Act and its impacts on civil liberties. In response to one section of the PATRIOT Act alone, many librarians across the country have decided to display signs warning patrons that the FBI may be snooping in their records. The Fourth Amendment is meant to guarantee protection from unreasonable searches and seizures. The Freedom to Read Protection Act will restore some of the Fourth Amendment's force by upholding key principles of privacy and limited government power. The FBI has been aggressively using its new powers without providing Congress with explanations about its activities. A University of Illinois survey shows libraries were targeted at least 175 times in the year after 11 September 2001 -- yet the FBI refuses to explain how or why. Once again, I urge you to support the Freedom to Read Protection Act (H.R. 1157). I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter. Sincerely, Matthew Belmonte