Judge Rules Against Government in Patriot Act Case Involving Library Patrons
Author: John Christoffersen, Associated Press Source: Tampa Bay Online
Title: JUDGE RULES AGAINST GOVERNMENT IN PATRIOT ACT CASE INVOLVING LIBRARY PATRONS
A federal judge lifted a gag order Friday that shielded the identity of librarians who received an FBI demand for records about library patrons under the Patriot Act.
U.S. District Court Judge Janet Hall ruled in favor of the American Civil Liberties Union, which argued that the gag order prevented their client from participating in a debate over whether Congress should reauthorize the Patriot Act.
"It's fabulous," said ACLU Associate Legal Director Ann Beeson. "Clearly the judge recognized it was profoundly undemocratic to gag a librarian from participating in the Patriot Act debate."
The ruling would allow the ACLU and its client to identify who received the request for records, but Hall stayed her decision until Sept. 20 to give the government a chance to appeal. Prosecutors said they were reviewing the decision and considering an appeal. Options: [Read Full Story]
From Witches Voice
Author: John Christoffersen, Associated Press Source: Tampa Bay Online
Title: JUDGE RULES AGAINST GOVERNMENT IN PATRIOT ACT CASE INVOLVING LIBRARY PATRONS
A federal judge lifted a gag order Friday that shielded the identity of librarians who received an FBI demand for records about library patrons under the Patriot Act.
U.S. District Court Judge Janet Hall ruled in favor of the American Civil Liberties Union, which argued that the gag order prevented their client from participating in a debate over whether Congress should reauthorize the Patriot Act.
"It's fabulous," said ACLU Associate Legal Director Ann Beeson. "Clearly the judge recognized it was profoundly undemocratic to gag a librarian from participating in the Patriot Act debate."
The ruling would allow the ACLU and its client to identify who received the request for records, but Hall stayed her decision until Sept. 20 to give the government a chance to appeal. Prosecutors said they were reviewing the decision and considering an appeal. Options: [Read Full Story]
From Witches Voice
