Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2001 13:34:04 -0400
To: Matthew Gaylor <freematt@coil.com>
From: Matthew Gaylor <freematt@coil.com>
Subject: 2/3 of Americans willing to give up some civil liberties
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"

http://www.pioneerplanet.com/news/nat_docs/134712.htm

Some brace for civil rights losses
BY MAURA DOLAN and HENRY WEINSTEIN Los Angeles Times

Civil libertarians are girding for a backlash that could limit 
individual freedoms as a result of this week's terrorist attacks.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California has started 
a telephone hot line to monitor incursions into civil liberties, 
particularly racial profiling.

"At this time of crisis, we want to make sure that civil liberties 
aren't violated," said Dorothy Ehrlich, executive director of the 
ACLU's Northern California chapter.

The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights is meeting in San Francisco 
today to discuss the risks of repressive steps taken in the name of 
safety and plan a response if needed.

"It is a slippery slope when you say you want to be safer at the 
expense of civil liberties and civil rights," said Eva Paterson, 
executive director of the regional affiliate of The Lawyers' 
Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. "We have to be careful that we 
don't overreact to it."

Leaders of the activist groups say they are concerned that in 
previous times of national crisis civil liberties, including freedom 
of speech and movement, have been restricted. A Washington Post poll 
taken shortly after Tuesday's attacks on the East Coast found that 66 
percent of Americans would be willing to give up some civil liberties 
to combat terrorism.

[...]


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