USA PATRIOT Act Topics

An archive of Democracy Now! reports on the USA PATRIOT Act since it was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 26, 2001. It has been reauthorized several times by both President Bush and President Barack Obama.

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Bush Signs Legislation Vastly Expanding Federal Powers to Wiretap, Eavesdrop, Detain Anddeport

President Bush signed legislation Friday dramatically expanding the ability of federal officials to tap telephonesand email traffic, and to detain and deport immigrants in the name of the so-called war on terrorism. Bush’s signingof the bill garnered little newspaper coverage over the weekend, and almost none on the major networks, even as civilliberties advocates warned that some of our most basic freedoms were being put at risk.
Oct 29, 2001 | Story
Ashcroft Hearings

Attorney General John Ashcroft resolutely defended the Justice Department’s anti-terrorism tactics yesterday, telling a Senate committee the measures are necessary to prevent future attacks and suggesting that criticism of them aids the terrorist cause. Ashcroft defended Bush administration measures declaring the nation must not let down its guard against threats that present "a daily chronicle of the hatred of Americans by fanatics."
Dec 07, 2001 | Story
Illegal Detentions, Security Culture, and the New Wave of Repression Against Themuslim-American and Activist Communities

Rabih Haddad’s case and the thousands of detained and disappeared in this country has caused barely a blip inmainstream public opinion or the US media in the prevailing mood of indulgence towards law enforcement agencies. Thepassage of the USA PATRIOT Act and recent executive actions by the Bush administration offer some context for the newwave of repression against Muslim-American communities and activist communities across the country.
Feb 27, 2002 | Story
The FBI Is Monitoring Our Reading Habits &shy with Or Without Evidence of Terrorism Or Spying

For the first time since the Cold War, the FBI is visiting public libraries to keep tabs on the reading habits of people the government considers dangerous.
Jun 25, 2002 | Story
Attorney General John Ashcroft Appeals a Ruling By the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court

Attorney General John Ashcroft has appealed a ruling by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. In a unanimous ruling made public last Thursday, the court rejected a secret request made by the Justice Department this year to allow broader cooperation and evidence-sharing between counterintelligence investigators and criminal prosecutors. The court found the request was "not reasonably designed" to safeguard the privacy of Americans.
Aug 26, 2002 | Story
Hundreds of Muslim Men From Around the Country Have Been Detained As They Register with Immigration Authorities Under New Government Orders: The Council On American-Islamic Relations Debates the Depar

INS officials have detained hundreds of men from Muslim countries who showed up at immigration offices to be registered under new government orders.
Dec 18, 2002 | Story
Art Torres, the Chair of the California Democratic Party Assails the Ins and Justice Department's Post-9/11 Policies

At the Muslim Public Affairs Council convention,speakers charged the USA Patriot Act constitutes thebiggest threat to democracy in the United States.
Dec 23, 2002 | Story
Justice Department Secretly Drafts Legislation to Strengthen the Patriot Act

The Justice Department is drafting legislation that would strengthen the already sweeping powers granted by the USA Patriot Act.
Feb 10, 2003 | Story
Police in Montpelier Photograph Student Protesters & Ask for Surveillance Help From the Local Media: Meanwhile in Minnesota, Law Enforcement Identifies Student Anti-War Group As Possible Threat

Last week over 60 students walked out of classes in Montpelier, the state capitol of Vermont. As part of an international student strike, they marched through downtown to the steps of the statehouse. After a couple of failed attempts they were allowed in for a personal meeting with the governor. Then they continued the protest downtown.
Mar 11, 2003 | Story
Patriot Raid: Citing Homeland Security & Patriot Act, Ins Raids NYC Restaurant, Questions Staff at Gunpoint and Detains Patrons

"A month ago I experienced a very small taste of what hundreds of South Asian immigrants and U.S. citizens of South Asian descent have gone through since 9/11, and what thousands of others have come to fear. I was held, against my will and without warrant or cause, under the USA PATRIOT Act. While I understand the need for some measure of security and precaution in times such as these, the manner in which this detention and interrogation...
May 05, 2003 | Story

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USA PATRIOT Act Topics

Bush Signs Legislation Vastly Expanding Federal Powers to Wiretap, Eavesdrop, Detain Anddeport

Ashcroft Hearings

Illegal Detentions, Security Culture, and the New Wave of Repression Against Themuslim-American and Activist Communities

The FBI Is Monitoring Our Reading Habits &shy with Or Without Evidence of Terrorism Or Spying

Attorney General John Ashcroft Appeals a Ruling By the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court

Hundreds of Muslim Men From Around the Country Have Been Detained As They Register with Immigration Authorities Under New Government Orders: The Council On American-Islamic Relations Debates the Depar

Art Torres, the Chair of the California Democratic Party Assails the Ins and Justice Department's Post-9/11 Policies

Justice Department Secretly Drafts Legislation to Strengthen the Patriot Act

Police in Montpelier Photograph Student Protesters & Ask for Surveillance Help From the Local Media: Meanwhile in Minnesota, Law Enforcement Identifies Student Anti-War Group As Possible Threat

Patriot Raid: Citing Homeland Security & Patriot Act, Ins Raids NYC Restaurant, Questions Staff at Gunpoint and Detains Patrons

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U.S. Special Operations Command Prepares to Launch Eight Satellites

Holder OK’d Seizing Personal Emails from Fox News Reporter

Antiwar.com Website Sues FBI over Agency Monitoring

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Wall Street Attempt to Use Trade Deals to Gut Dodd-Frank Act

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Honor Student Expelled for Science Experiment Receives Space Academy Scholarship

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USA PATRIOT Act Topics

Show for May 24, 2013

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