WP - Patriot Act Creates New Crime: Prez event "Disruptor"

[leveymg]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/12/AR2005121201448_pf.html
ACLU Opposes Patriot Act Provision
Secret Service's Reach Questioned

By Dan Eggen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 13, 2005; A03

The American Civil Liberties Union raised objections yesterday to a little-noticed provision of the latest version of the USA Patriot Act bill, arguing that it would give the Secret Service wider latitude to charge protesters accused of disrupting major events including political conventions and the Olympics.

But Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), who sponsored the provisions, and his aides said the concerns are misguided. The changes are meant to clear up legal confusion about the Secret Service's role at major events and to ensure that venues are fully secure before the president or other top officials arrive, they said.

"I'm a little surprised at the concern," Specter said in an interview, adding later, "The venue needs to be subject to their jurisdiction to make sure it's okay."

The measure is the latest point of contention in a GOP-approved conference bill that would make permanent most parts of the Patriot Act anti-terrorism law and would renew two other provisions for four years. A bipartisan group has vowed to fight the proposal, and several lawmakers proposed legislation yesterday that would give Congress an additional three months to negotiate.

The Secret Service is authorized to charge suspects with breaching security or disruptive behavior at National Special Security Events, but only if the president or another person under the protection of the service is in attendance, according to a legislative summary.

SNIP

Just like the WaPo to bury this story on Page 3. We need to make some disruptive noise about this one before it passes unnoticed into law. Don't assume the Senate or courts will toss it out just because it's clearly unconstitutional.

[Cooley Hurd]

1. I could understand if someone walked into a Bush event with a gun...

...but to show up merely to protest, and get arrested for it???

Let freedom reign, my ASS!:grr:

[rodeodance]

2. so, all need to write call your Congresspeople and MEDIA blast this.

[leveymg]

3. The Brits just passed a similar law. An 85 year old man was arrested

for heckling Blair at a Labour Party meeting - and, he was an invited attendee.

Something very rotten is happening. Time to raise our voices, while we still have one.

[zbdent]

4. Wonder if this applies to past presidents who

are constantly heckled about Monica Lewinsky . . . I wonder if any of those "disruptors" would be arrested . . .