Austin, TX DUers - Bill of Rights Defense Fax Action

[sonias]

Calling all evilDUers in the Austin, TX city limits. The anti-patriot act resolution is coming up for a vote on September 25th. The Austin city council needs to hear from you. One excuse they used for postponing this item this last month was because there was not huge outpouring of support like on the anti-war resolution. So do your part, please.
thanks
Sonia
------------------------------------
From: Matt Howes, National Internet Organizer, ACLU
To: ACLU Action Network Members
Date: September 16, 2003

The Austin City Council is currently considering a resolution that reaffirms the City's commitment to defend the fundamental rights enshrined in our Constitution. One recent attack on these rights was the USA PATRIOT Act, a bill that Congress adopted just 45 days after the September 11 tragedies. This sweeping legislation undercuts many important checks and balances on government law enforcement and intelligence powers.

The PATRIOT Act and other post-9/11 government actions have created a groundswell of opposition from all parts of the political spectrum. Resolutions opposing the PATRIOT Act have been adopted in 162 communities in 28 states (including three state-wide resolutions) -- representing about 19 million people.

The resolution currently being considered in Austin will be voted on as early as the September 25 Austin City Council meeting and needs your support.

Click here for more information and to send a free fax to your City Councilmember

http://www.aclu.org/NationalSecurity/NationalSecurity.cfm?ID=13532&c=24

[el_gato]

1. kick

:kick:

[sonias]

2. kicking it for this week

Vote by council happens this week.
:dem:

Sonia

[VelmaD]

3. this needs a bump

Folks we gotta go raise hell. There was a big training thing for TX Dems this past weekend. My best friend was at it and the scuttlebutt up there was that this thing is gonna get tabled again. Don't know if it's true but it's up to us to keep it from happening again.

Hope to see you all at the City Council meeting.

DV

[GOPisEvil]

4. Tabled again??

:wtf:

Argh...they had better not!

[VelmaD]

5. Like I said...

that was the scuttle-butt over the weekend. Don't know how reliable the source was but knowing they've tabled this thing before it was enough to worry me a little bit. We gotta stay on these people.

[sonias]

6. This is not tabled. This item is on the agenda for Thursday 9/25 #66

A public hearing on the Council resolution began Aug. 14, 2003, and will continue at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, 2003, during the Council meeting at the Lower Colorado River Authority Hancock Building, 3700 Lake Austin Blvd.
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/news/2003/patriot_act.htm

6:00 P.M. Items Continued From Previous Meetings
#66. Discussion and possible action on a resolution regarding the Patriot Act. (Mayor Pro Tem Jackie Goodman, Council Member Raul Alvarez and Council Member Danny Thomas)
Resoltuion link:
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/agenda/2003/downloads/092503066.pdf

What I hear from ABORDC is that Jackie wants this passed and move on. There will be at least 4 votes but they would like at least 5. Brewster and Betty will abstain supposedly and the Mayor is a good potential Yes.

Sonia

[VelmaD]

7. I feel a little better now...

thanks Sonia. Nice to hear that the mayor might vote yes too. :) I was just a little worried that this thing might get put off again...I'm too paranoid after the redistricting fiasco I guess. :)

You gonna be there tomorrow? If so, keep your eyes peeled for me. I haven't been to a City Council meeting in ages. Should be fun.

[sonias]

8. I'll be there baby

This is a really big deal for us. We didn't make the first city in Texas but damn we will be the first major city. No offense to our friends in Sunset Valley, but we have a few more citizens than they do.
http://www.bordc.org/OtherLocalEfforts.htm

Sonia

[GOPisEvil]

9. I'm really going to try to be there!

This stupid project at work is draining my time. It's due FRIDAY!!! YIKES!!!!! I'm already staying late today to get as much done as I can.

OK - break over, back on my head! :D

[sonias]

10. This is our day !

Please make sure you have either called or faxed the city council if you can't be there. Wish us luck.

:dem:

Sonia

[sonias]

11. We did it Austin, TX is now a Civil Liberties Safe Zone.!

We joined the National Bill of Rights Defense Committee list of cities vowing to protect civil liberties. The vote was 4-0-3. Three weasel abstentions including our Mayor. A win is a win though. Happy Happy Joy Joy!!

Big congratulations to our Mayor Pro-Tem Jackie Goodman, the Austin Bill of Rights Defense Committee and all the Austin people who spoke up to protect our civil rights.

The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
- Thomas Jefferson

Sonia

[GOPisEvil]

12. Will Wynn is a (bleeping) weasel!

Holy crap Mr. Mayor - TAKE A STAND!!! I guess he figures to run for higher office someday, and doesn't want this vote around his neck. :eyes: Total lack of spine - yup, that's what I want from my elected representatives...

Edited subject line!