PITTSBURGH -- City Council on Monday approved a nonbinding resolution condemning the anti-terrorist Patriot Act.
The vote came one week after President George W. Bush visited Hershey and gave a speech in support of the act, which gives the federal government expanded surveillance and detention powers.
Philadelphia and five other Pennsylvania municipalities have also condemned the Patriot Act, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
Pittsburgh's resolution, sponsored by Councilman Bill Peduto, states that provisions in the Patriot Act "threaten fundamental rights and liberties." It asks police to seek written assurances from the federal government that city residents won't be subjected to military detention, and it also asks police not to participate in the government's "Terrorism Information and Prevention System," a citizen watch program.
The resolution recommends that all libraries post notices that read, "WARNING: Section 215 of the federal USA PATRIOT Act greatly expands the authority of federal agents to obtain records of books and other materials you borrow from this library. This law prohibits librarians from informing you."
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