Beacon Hill Lawmakers to Urge Repeal of Patriot Act Provisions
       More than 40 state lawmakers, all Democrats, are calling on Congress to repeal parts of the USA Patriot Act that they say infringe on the civil rights and liberties of Massachusetts residents.
       The resolution, which receives a public hearing Wednesday, urges Congress to “allow to sunset, to repeal, and to amend those sections of the USA Patriot Act which allow the Executive Branch to infringe upon the rights and liberties of persons as specified in the United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the Constitution of the Commonwealth, and to oppose any additional legislation that would infringe upon these rights and liberties.”
       Congress passed the Patriot Act in October 2001 to give federal and state law enforcement officials a wider range of tools to prevent terrorist activity. The resolution also requests that the US Department of Justice and other federal agencies and departments “refrain from any investigations, procedures, or prosecutions which infringe” on residents’ civil rights.
       According to the resolution 358 cities and towns, including 49 in Massachusetts, have passed resolutions declaring their opposition to the Patriot Act. The resolution has also been adopted in states including Hawaii, Alaska, Maine and Vermont.
Legislators, the ACLU, professors, and residents gather at the State House Wednesday at 11:15 am to hold a press conference on the bill, following the 10 am committee hearing. Supporters also plan a rally outside the State House at noon.