Ann Beeson
Ann Beeson
clear engage engaged nsa possible spying
It's clear that this administration has engaged every possible agency, from the Pentagon to NSA to the FBI, to engage in spying on Americans.
asking avoid court ear expensive free giant halt harm illegal lawyers overseas prevent privacy program rights sources speak speech spying trips
To avoid the giant ear of the NSA, journalists and lawyers now have to make expensive trips overseas to speak with their sources and clients. We are asking the court to halt the illegal spying program now to prevent even more harm to the free speech and privacy rights of Americans.
balances both bush calls checks committee effort eroded government hold human illegal join law name national principles rights rule spying system tolerate united
In the name of national security, the Bush administration has eroded the rule of law and the system of checks and balances in the United States, both fundamental principles in any democracy. In our America, we will not tolerate illegal spying or torture. The ACLU calls on the Human Rights committee to join us in our effort to hold the U.S. government accountable.
amendment involved issues
There are considerable First Amendment issues involved in such a move.
amendment gag rights
Our first amendment rights are irreparably harmed, every day the gag continues,
allowing client court dangers demand fbi library public records wants
Our client wants to tell the American public about the dangers of allowing the FBI to demand library records without court approval.
approve authorized avoided congress decree favor government ignored judge limitless power requiring rule spy system
Requiring a judge to approve a wiretap is not a nicety that can be avoided by presidential decree -- it is a fundamental rule of American democracy. The government ignored the system authorized by Congress in favor of limitless power to spy on Americans.
ability check crucial democracy detain executive founded interests liberty possibly powers principles recognize separation
It is crucial that we recognize the important separation of powers principles that our democracy was founded on, ... There should always be a check on the executive branch's power, the president's power, to take away that most fundamental of liberty interests and that is the government's ability to detain a person, possibly indefinitely.
attempt bad believe extend glad importance jury material support thrilled understood
We are thrilled the jury understood the importance of the First Amendment. We believe the material support statute is overbroad, and we are very glad the government's attempt to extend the bad statute has been thwarted.
attempt bad believe extend glad importance jury material support thrilled understood
We are thrilled the jury understood the importance of the First Amendment, ... We believe the material support statute is overbroad, and we are very glad the government's attempt to extend the bad statute has been thwarted.
broken credible criticize fbi government groups instead national resources security spending threats time tracking
The FBI should use its resources to investigate credible threats to national security instead of spending time tracking Americans who criticize government policy, or monitoring groups that have not broken the law.
criminal protected range
criminal statute that violates a whole range of protected speech.
activists available form information message news pay people posting price publicly speaking trigger type
This type of investigation is really a form of intimidation and a message to activists that they will pay a price for speaking out, ... The posting of publicly available information about people who are in the news should not trigger an investigation.
clients criminal explain felt fight forward gag happy looking merely obviously threat
We are obviously very much looking forward to the day where they can explain how it felt to be under threat of criminal prosecution for merely identifying themselves. The clients are happy that the fight over this gag is nearing its end.