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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <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 preserve <br />and protect those rights; and <br />WHEREAS, Orange County is home to a diverse population, including students, working people, and non- <br />citizens, whose contributions to the community are vital to its character and function; and <br />WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners is committed to upholding the civil rights and civil liberties of all <br />persons in Orange County and their free exercise and enjoyment of any and all rights and privileges <br />secured by the constitutions and the laws of the United States, the State of North Carolina, and Orange <br />County; and <br />WHEREAS, actions taken by the federal government, including the adoption of sections of the USA Patriot <br />Act and several Executive Orders, now threaten those fundamental rights and liberties, including freedom of <br />speech, assembly, and privacy; the right to counsel and due process in judicial proceedings; and protection <br />from unreasonable searches and seizures, all of which are guaranteed by the Constitutions of North <br />Carolina and the United States; and <br />WHEREAS, the Executive Branch of the United States government has drafted a "Domestic Security <br />Enhancement Act" (also known as the "USA Patriot Act II"), which would further undermine those rights and <br />liberties by expanding the government's surveillance authority; by allowing the sharing of sensitive personal <br />information with local and state law enforcement agencies without consent or judicial process; and by <br />authorizing secret arrests and detentions of persons not criminally charged. <br />NOW, THEREFORE, the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby resolve: <br />Section 1. That we encourage our state and federal legislative delegations to monitor the implementation of the <br />USA Patriot Act and the Executive Orders cited herein and to work actively for the repeal of those portions of the Act <br />and those Orders that violate the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitutions of North Carolina and the <br />United States. <br />Section 2. That we encourage our state and federal legislative delegations to work actively against adoption of the <br />Domestic Security Enhancement Act cited herein and against any legislation or Executive Order that would <br />undermine residents' fundamental rights and liberties. <br />Section 3. That we encourage local law enforcement agencies to continue to preserve residents' freedom of <br />speech, religion, assembly, and privacy; the right to counsel and due process in judicial proceedings; and protection <br />from unreasonable searches and seizures, even if requested or authorized to infringe upon those rights by federal <br />law enforcement under powers granted by Acts or Orders cited herein. <br />Section 4. That we encourage federal and state law enforcement officials acting within Orange County to work in <br />accordance with the policies and procedures of and in cooperation with local law enforcement and to not engage in <br />racial profiling or permit detentions without charges. <br />Section 5. That this resolution be forwarded to our state and federal legislative delegations on behalf of the <br />residents of Orange County. <br />This the 20th day of May, 2003. .~~~jJ ~~ <br />/ . <br />Margaret Brown, Chair <br />Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />