2003-029- USA Patriot Act And The Protection Of Civil Rights And Liberties Of Los GatansRESOLUTION 2003 - 29
A RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE USA PATRIOT ACT AND THE PROTECTION OF
CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES OF LOS GATANS
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos is a diverse community composed of persons of
different ancestries, races, ethnic or national origins, colors, ages, genders, sexual orientations,
religions, physical and mental capabilities, economic circumstances and political backgrounds
and views;
WHEREAS, all members of this community are governed by and enjoy certain
fundamental rights granted under the United States Constitution, including the Bill of Rights,
and the California State Constitution;
WHEREAS, these fundamental rights are threatened whenever law
enforcement actions are based on extreme interpretations of laws that were
ultimately intended for the limited purpose of protecting these fundamental rights;
WHEREAS, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing
Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 ( "USA
Patriot Act ") was signed into law on October 26, 2001 with the stated purpose to enable law
enforcement officials to track down and punish those responsible for the September 11, 2001
attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and to protect against any similar attacks;
WHEREAS, given the length and breadth of such acts, concerns have been
raised that their language and that of Executive Orders interpreting such acts,
might result in overzealous enforcement of its provisions in derogation of the
fundamental rights of all Americans, including the members of this community;
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WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos adheres to the principle that no law
enforcement agency, or any other city agency, may profile or discriminate against
any person solely on the basis of ancestry, race, ethnic or national origin, color, age,
sexual orientation, gender, physical or mental disability, or religion, political views,
economic circumstances;
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos wants to recognize the commitment it has
to uphold the legal and human rights of its residents;
WHEREAS, other communities around the country have passed similar
resolutions reinforcing local efforts to support and defend the legal and human
rights of their residents;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the governing body of the Town
of Los Gatos that it has been, and remains, firmly committed to the protection of
civil rights and civil liberties for all of its residents, to the equal treatment of all its
residents, regardless of their ancestry, race, ethnic or national origin, color, age,
gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical and mental capability, economic
circumstance, political background or views, and affirms its commitment to embody
democracy and to embrace, defend and uphold the inalienable rights and
fundamental liberties granted under the United States and the California State
Constitution;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that local law enforcement continue to
preserve and uphold residents' freedom of speech, assembly, association, and privacy, the
right to counsel and due process in judicial proceedings, and protection from unreasonable
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searches and seizures, even if requested to do otherwise and infringe upon such rights by federal
or state law enforcement agencies acting under new powers created by the USA Patriot Act or by
Executive Order;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that our Federal legislative delegation is petitioned to
actively monitor the implementation of the USA Patriot Act, any new legislation, or related
Executive Orders, and actively work for the repeal of those portions that violate the guaranteed
civil liberties enumerated in the Bill of Rights.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon passage, the Town Clerk shall deliver this
Resolution to all federal and state law enforcement agencies, the Governor's office, and to the
California federal legislative delegation.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the
Town of Los Gatos, California held on the 17` day of March, 2003 by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Steve Glickman, Diane McNutt, Joe Pirzynski, Mike Wasserman,
Mayor Sandy Decker.
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
SIGNED:G�- —
MAYO OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
CLER O THE TOWN OF LOS G T S- a °°-�
LOS GATOS,. CALIFORNIA
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