wfn.org | Faith Groups Plan Witness for Civil Liberties Weekend for

["Nat'l Council of Churches" <nccc_usa@ncccusa.org>]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AND NEWS PLANNING

RELIGIOUS GROUPS CALL ON PEOPLE OF FAITH TO PROTECT CIVIL LIBERTIES AMIDST
GROWING CONCERNS ABOUT U.S. ANTI-TERRORISM EFFORTS
Witness for Civil Liberties Weekend Planned for Oct. 24-26

September 25, 2003, WASHINGTON, D.C. - Determined to protect civil liberties
amidst growing concerns about the erosion of rights under U.S.
anti-terrorism efforts, a diverse group of religious organizations including
the National Council of Churches USA (NCC) has announced plans for a
Witness for Civil Liberties Weekend Oct. 24-26, 2003.

The group is calling on people of faith to take action to make sure that the
fundamental freedoms affirmed and celebrated in the United States are
secured for all people.  Concerned about harassment and denial of fair and
equal treatment to innocent people, the campaign is advocating for tighter
controls on current anti-terrorism efforts.  It is calling for the highest
standard of scrutiny of laws and policy changes related to civil liberties.

As the FBI launched its Terrorist Screening Center, Rob Cavenaugh, the chair
of Witness for Civil Liberties Weekend, asked, How many innocent people
will be caught in this web and what are the safeguards in place to get them
out?  These are the questions that must be answered.  Cavenaugh is Director
of the Washington office of the Unitarian Universalist Association, one of
the national sponsors of the weekend.

According to organizers, the "Witness for Civil Liberties Weekend" is a
designated time for Christian, Jewish, Muslim and other faith traditions to
reflect, educate and inform people about the importance of protecting civil
liberties, particularly since Oct. 26 marks the second anniversary of the
passage of the USA PATRIOT Act. It is also the last day before the Muslim
holiday, Ramadan.

In special weekend activities, including an email campaign to Congress and
the White House on Friday, the national sponsors of "Witness for Civil
Liberties Weekend" are asking religious leaders to disseminate information,
hold discussions and other forums and map out strategies for interacting
with government officials about the critical need for the United States to
strike a balance between national security concerns and the rights and
freedoms of its residents.

In addition to the NCC and UUA, national sponsors of "Witness for Civil
Liberties Weekend" include the Interfaith Alliance, American Friends Service
Committee, Union of American Hebrew Congregations, Islamic Society of North
America and the Mennonite Central Committee.

Congregations and organizations interested in participating in "Witness for
Civil Liberties Weekend" should go to www.witnessforcivilliberties.org for
more information (including a complete list of national sponsors - click
About Us) or call (202) 296-4672 x15.

-end-

Media Contact: Leslie Tune, National Council of Churches, 202-544-2350 x 11;
ltune@ncccusa.org

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Send E-mail address changes to: nccc_usa@ncccusa.org