While some segments of U.S. society like rightwing fundamentalists are being given the right to proselytize in national parks, other citizens are finding their civil rights being curtailed. Some activists in the States have been denied the right to travel and, of course, the recent police state installed in Miami during the FTAA demonstrations denied citizens the right to free assembly and protection from unreasonable search and seizure. The top cop behind the Miami outrage was police chief John Timoney, who also created similar zones of constitutional abuse during the Republican National Convention in 2000. One of the activists arrested there is still facing charges brought by Timoney.

In Boulder, Colorado activists discovered tracking devices attached to their cars. While in nearby Las Vegas the Feds used a little-known provision in the Patriot Act to bust a strip club owner for actions totally unrelated to terrorism. The so-called "Patriot" Act and recently enacted provisions of Son of "Patriot" Act are chilling in their blatant assault on constitutional rights. However, a recent court ruling overturned one such provision. The Act itself is up for review in congress this year, but the Bush regime is pushing for its' expansion at the same time that some legislators are attempting to roll it back.

At the same time, the Whitehouse is seeking heightened internet surveillance and the U.S. military is moving into surveillance on the home front. Such assaults on the Constitution and the rights of U.S. citizens should give voters pause during this election year. Another four years of the Bush regime could spell disaster for the "Land of the Free".

Justice Online | Fourth Amendment | Save Our Civil Liberties

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