ACTION ALERT:

We are now in the run leading up to the Portage City Council meeting on February 10, 2004, when the council will decide what to do with our proposed Community Resolution in Support of Civil Liberties.  What we have learned thus far is that the sense of the City Council is that the resolution is a political matter (Dems v. Reps.) and not a city matter. Margaret O'Brien's regrettable comments that this issue is a  federal matter and not a local issue may have some resonance with other council members. The city attorney is clearly of that opinion. Finally, I understand that there is a concern that if the council opens the door to our resolution, Right To Life, The GLBT Community and the Michigan Militia will not be far behind. 

What the council does want to see, however, is Portage residents, and lots of them, coming to the meeting and expressing support for the resolution.  If enough people come and speak their mind and are Portage constituents, we may be able to at least move the resolution forward. What we risk in not succeeding Tuesday night is having the Portage City Council reject the request for a resolution outright.

Please contact everyone you know who is a Portage resident and everyone you know who is interested in this topic regardless of their residency and urge them to attend the Portage City Commission meeting Tuesday, February 10, 2004.  Those of  you who have a connection with other web lists, please forward this plea on!!  If I can be of assistance or answer any questions, please contact me anytime. Thanks again for all of your hard work!

Jim Rodbard, ADC Kalamazoo Director and Task Force for Defense of the Bill of Rights

P.S.  New York City passed a far reaching resolution on February 4, 2004, becoming the 251st city in the United States to pass a resolution opposing the Patriot Act.  I expect that Washington D.C. is not far behind.  JNR.