Update on BORDC efforts in the 2005 Oregon State Legislative Session

    As you may know "seven state legislatures and 378 local and county
governments have passed resolutions upholding the rights and liberties of
their residents that have been threatened or abridged by the unwarranted
provisions of the USAPATRIOT Act and other laws and policies applied
indiscriminately and often secretly since September 11, 2001."
newsletter@bordc.com
    In Oregon efforts were frustrated to become the 8th state to pass
statewide legislation.  Initial efforts sought to get a statute that would
speak strongly to upholding the civil rights that the Oregon Constitution
describes and was intended to insure.  Unfortunately, efforts to obtain a
statute bogged down in the House Judiciary Committee.  In an attempt to
circumvent the bog and to obtain a less powerful but significant legislative
stand, efforts turned in mid May to advocating for a Senate resolution.
    The Oregon ACLU was instrumental in trying to help by arranging a
telephone conference call to several Oregon legislators from former US
Representative Bob Barr. Barr is a Republican gentleman outspoken about the
abuses of the USAPATRIOT Act. The strategy was appropriate and the need to
get republican sponsorship was critical.
     It soon became evident that there was a good deal of caution from key
republican legislators  regarding the language of the proposed Oregon
resolution.  Although it was made clear to them that we were open to some
change... on May 18th communications with the folks holding the power made
it clear to us that they were not interested in supporting a resolution this
legislative session.
    So ... frustration and disappointment is the BCBORDC response to the
lack of committed legislative support that we had envisioned.  Where to go
from here?  Vigilance and communication with legislators to share examples
of civil rights abuses in our communities as they unfold seems to be an
appropriate action.

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BCBORDC Activities for National Week of Action July 2-8

    "As congress considers re-authorizing or amending portions of the
USAPATRIOT Act that sunset on Dec. 31, 2005, it is time for a national call
to action to defend the Bill of Rights and restore our lost liberties".
newsletter@bordc.org
    In Corvallis, National Week of Action events will include the following:

July 4th: Participation in the  community 4th of July parade.  Join members
and friends of BCBORDC as we parade with our Burma Shave style advocacy
signs: 
    • Help Protect 
    • The US Constitution
    • And Bill of Rights
    • Be Vigilant 
    • BCBORDC 
Parade formation is in the park (near the bandstand and the ballerina
statue).  Time is 10:00am.


July 6th: Showing of the powerful documentary "Unconstitutional" at The
Oddfellowship Hall, 223 SW 2nd Street at 7:00pm .  Admission is one canned
good that is donated to the Tunison Food Bank.

July 5-8: Be encouraged to contact Oregon members of Congress who will be in
their districts during the weekdays following July 4th.  Communicate about
threats to civil liberties.  Focus on laws and policies that have provoked
fears and that have harmed innocent people and families since September 11,
2001.  Demand that the US Constitution and Bill of Rights be upheld and that
liberty and justice be restored.