Civil Liberties
The U.S. system of government is founded on the idea of majority rule balanced by a guarantee of individual rights—especially the right to dissent from and criticize the government. Civil liberties are threatened when an administration or Congress believes in protecting the rights and privileges of the government instead of those of the people.
The framers of the Constitution understood the importance of this issue and enacted the Bill of Rights to protect the people against excesses by government. Civil liberties belong to everyone citizens, visitors, students—all persons.
One important area of civil liberties is students’ rights, especially because young people may not be aware of or able to protect their own rights. Contrary to the the way many schools and educators act, the Bill of Rights does not stop at the school-house gate. more… →
‘It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from its government.’ —Tom Paine
‘When the government fears the people, you have liberty; when the people fear the government, you have tyranny.’
—Thomas Jefferson
Video Surveillance Systems [CCTV]
Modern video surveillance technology is very different from fixed security cameras used to protect cashiers and vulnerable locations. Study after study in other cities shows that they are not particularly effective, and there is no creditable evidence that they prevent … more
Freedom of Speech at Musikfest and other events
When a festival or special event takes over part of your town, it does not cancel the protections guaranteed under the First Amendment. In past years, free speech at Musikfest was confined to a single area, people were not permitted … more
The Bill of Rights
(Amendments 1–10 to the U.S. Constitution, Ratified December 15, 1791) Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the … more
Youth Peacemaker Training
For teens who care about peace and justice and want to be more effective activists and advocates for nonviolence and social change. [Sample program] For information on future programs for students, call LEPOCO (610 691-8730) or email LEPOCO. YPT is … more
Surveillance – Letters to City Councils
Following is a copy of a letter sent to Allentown City Council. It can serve as a model for letters you might wish to write to your City Council. (Except, of course, that the first paragraph should reflect the current … more
Patriot Act Resolution
The resolution proposed for Bethlehem included the following main points: 1. Lists the most important threats under the USA PATRIOT Act and related measures—to increase public awareness; 2. Affirms the city’s commitment to civil rights and civil liberties; 3. Directs … more
Protect Yourself from the USA PATRIOT Act
Protect Your Rights—They can’t protect themselves! The USA PATRIOT Act and other measures in the name of homeland security go against the Bill of Rights and the very freedoms the founders of this country struggled so hard to ensure. As … more
Letters to council Re USA PATRIOT Act
Process used by city council In May, Council president Schweder announced that the resolution would be placed on the agenda by June 15, but the resolution has been dropped from the agenda because “a majority of council members decided that … more
Indy Films for Classroom Use
The Alliance for Sustainable Communities and the SouthSide Film Festival are pleased to make these excellent short films available free of charge for classroom use. The films, all made by independent filmmakers, were chosen for the 2006 Festival. We are making … more