COUNCIL DECLINES TO OPPOSE FEDS' ACT.Byline: - Naush Boghossian A resolution opposing the federal Patriot Act Patriot Act: see USA PATRIOT Act. , which critics say erodes civil liberties and supporters say strengthens national security, failed to win City Council backing. In a 3-2 vote Tuesday, Glendale councilmen decided against joining the cities of South Pasadena South Pasadena (păs'ədē`nə), city (1990 pop. 23,936), Los Angeles co., S Calif., a residential suburb of Los Angeles; inc. 1888. Medical supplies, clothing, and transportation and electronic equipment are manufactured. , Oakland and Claremont, which have passed resolutions expressing concerns about the act. ``The Congress of the United States Congress of the United States, the legislative branch of the federal government, instituted (1789) by Article 1 of the Constitution of the United States, which prescribes its membership and defines its powers. spent a lot of time putting it together, and I put confidence in our elected representatives and the president to determine if it does infringe on our rights,'' said Councilman Dave Weaver. Weaver, along with council members Bob Yousefian and Gus Gomez, voted against writing a resolution opposing the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act was passed by Congress after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to give federal law enforcement authorities additional authority to deal with the threat of terrorism. But the act has generated controversy because of the significant expansion of law enforcement power and concerns about potential violations of civil rights and liberties. Mayor Frank Quintero, who with Rafi Manoukian Rafi Manoukian is a former member of the city council in Glendale, California. He was recently notified that he has been selected by the Board of Directors and the Selection Committee of the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) as a recipient of the 2006 Ellis Island voted in support of taking a stand as a city, said he believed some provisions of the Patriot Act - including search and seizure search and seizure In law enforcement, an exploratory investigation of a premises or a person and the taking into custody of property or an individual in the interest of gaining evidence of unlawful activity or guilt. , and being detained de·tain tr.v. de·tained, de·tain·ing, de·tains 1. To keep from proceeding; delay or retard. 2. To keep in custody or temporary confinement: without representation - challenge peoples' civil liberties. ``I wanted to philosophically let the federal government know that at the grass-roots level, people are concerned about some of the provisions in this act,'' Quintero said. ``I understand that in difficult times you have to take strong actions, but these provisions are just too much.'' |
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