-Caveat Lector- >From http://www.afsc.org/news/2002/colorado.htm
}}}>Begin AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE NEWS RELEASE National Office: 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102-1479 Media Relations: Phone: (215)-241-7060 Fax: (215)-241-7275 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.afsc.org For Immediate Release March 15, 2002 Contact: Contact: Janis D. Shields, (215) 241- 7060 John W. Haigis, (215) 241-7056 AFSC UPHOLDS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH AND DISSENT States Illegal Denver Police Files Symptomatic of a "New McCarthyism" PHILADELPHIA, PA - Concerned by the recent disclosure that the Denver Police Department kept secret and illegal files on hundreds of organizations, the Philadelphia-based American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) urges a complete and thorough review of the activity, calling it a "new McCarthyism." The existence of the files came to light during a press conference Monday, held by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), where it was disclosed the Denver Police Department classified the 85-year old Nobel Peace prize-winning organization as "criminally extremist." McCarthyism refers back to a time when individuals faced hearings and were unfairly blacklisted and labeled as communist supporters without supporting evidence. "First there were Salem witch trials. Next came the red scare of the 40s and 50s. Then it was targeting of Martin Luther King Jr. and members of the civil rights movement. Today it's hundreds of groups and individuals who exercise their First Amendment right to speak out and express their views and opinions that are unfairly targeted and labeled," said AFSC general secretary Mary Ellen McNish. "When will we learn from the mistakes of the past?" "Even the mayor of Denver has condemned this illegal spying on law-abiding activists," said Larry Leaman-Miller, program coordinator of the AFSC program in Colorado. "Clearly the constitutional right of people to peaceably assemble and petition the Government for redress of grievances is not a criminal offense." Known for practicing the Quaker principle of speaking truth to power, AFSC was founded in 1917 to provide conscientious objectors with an opportunity to aid civilian victims during World War I. The organization is grounded in Quaker beliefs respecting the dignity and worth of every person. In 1947, the AFSC and the British Friends Service Council received the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the Religious Society of Friends, for humanitarian service, work for reconciliation during two World Wars, and the spirit in which these were carried out. While public awareness of illegal intelligence has no doubt increased since Watergate and subsequent revelations, such activities have burgeoned. Recent legislation, passed under the guise of the new "war on terrorism," severely challenges basic democratic founding principles - such as freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and prohibitions against illegal search and seizure. Under the freedom of information act, AFSC secured hundreds of federal files detailing government surveillance projects and intelligence documents targeting US peace groups in the early 70s. Public exposure of the Pentagon papers, FBI files and other documents gave a glimpse of the vast extent of surveillance, record keeping and disruptive (and sometimes lethal) activity carried on by government intelligence agencies, from the CIA and FBI down to local police against large numbers of American citizens. "Unfortunately the current Administration seems to be stuck in the past," McNish commented. "We know from experience that trampling the Bill of Rights is not the answer. We need to honor and uphold our constitution by not eroding the very principles upon which our country was founded." Historically, the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) have been the subject of suspicion and at times repression and violence because of their refusal to condone or participate in war or preparations for war, and often for having come to the aid of those suffering from hostilities, persecution or injustice. Friends have worked to assist runaway slaves and in the modern civil rights movement, have stood up for worker's rights and a host of social and economic justice issues. Since the September 11 tragedies, AFSC has actively supported a No More Victims campaign, which supports justice, healing, and peaceful alternatives to conflict - not war and retaliation. Events have included silent vigils and demonstrations, government petitions that included past Nobel Peace Prize Laureates and discussion forums that included family members of those who perished in the World Trade Center attacks. # # # The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization that includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the belief in the worth of every person and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice. AFSC Home Contact Us Site Map About AFSC News Jobs & Volunteering How to Contribute Program Topics Where We Work Upcoming Events What's New Periodicals/Newsletters Resources & Links © American Friends Service Committee http://www.afsc.org/ Send comments or suggestions to: e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone 215-241-7000 Fax: 215-241-7275 National Office: 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia, PA 19102 Links are for information only, and do not imply AFSC endorsement. 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