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c. Resolution Protecting Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and Opposing Portions of the <br />USA Patriot Act <br />The Board considered a resolution to preserve and protect the civil rights and liberties of <br />Orange County residents and to oppose those portions of the USA Patriot Act and any other related <br />Executive Orders that fundamentally alter those rights and civil liberties and to authorize the Chair to <br />sign the resolution. <br />Damon Siles, a member of the Human Relations Commission and the drafter of the <br />resolution, read the resolution. He said that this resolution serves two purposes -one is to reaffirm the <br />County Commissioners' commitment to protect the civil rights and liberties of Orange County citizens <br />and the other is to fight the federal government who is trying to take away their rights. He said that more <br />than 100 other counties, cities, and towns in the country have passed similar resolutions. He said that <br />passing this resolution is the least we can do on this issue. <br />Public Comment: <br />Lucy Lewis spoke on behalf of the Orange County Bill of Rights Defense Committee. She <br />said that people's fears and vulnerabilities have been exploited. She said that she saw that David Price <br />said yesterday in the newspaper that he would like to know of any abuses that have occurred and so far <br />he has not heard of any. She said that with the USA Patriot Act and the Homeland Security Act, so <br />many things are secret, that people do not even know if an abuse has occurred. She urged the Board to <br />pass this resolution. <br />Albert Geiger said that this is a ridiculous act and he is opposed to it. He and his wife feel <br />strongly for the Board to support this resolution. <br />Connie Gates lives on Dairyland Road. She is a member of two churches that have <br />supported the Orange County Bill of Rights Defense Committee. She wants to make sure that her rights <br />are protected. She does not want to live in fear of her government. She encouraged the Board to pass <br />this resolution that opposes the unconstitutional aspects of laws that are being passed by the federal <br />government. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Halkiotis, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to <br />approve and authorize the Chair to sign the resolution as stated below: <br />A RESOLUTION <br />Regarding the Protection of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties <br />WHEREAS, Orange County is committed to the human rights of its residents and to actions that <br />preserve and protect those rights; and <br />WHEREAS, Orange County is home to a diverse population, including students, working people, <br />and non-citizens,-whose contributions to the community are vital to its character and function; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners is committed to upholding the civil rights and civil <br />liberties of all persons in Orange County and their free exercise and enjoyment of any and all <br />rights and privileges secured by the constitutions and the laws of the United States, the State of <br />North Carolina, and Orange County; and <br />WHEREAS, actions taken by the federal government, including the adoption of sections of the <br />USA Patriot Act and several Executive Orders, now threaten those fundamental rights and <br />liberties, including freedom of speech, assembly, and privacy; the right to counsel and due <br />process in judicial proceedings; and protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, all of <br />which are guaranteed by the Constitutions of North Carolina and the United States; and <br />WHEREAS, the Executive Branch of the United States government has drafted a "Domestic <br />Security Enhancement Act" (also known as the "USA Patriot Act II"), which would further <br />