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Free-Speech Groups File Amicus in Patriot Act ChallengeFree-speech groups representing libraries, publishers, booksellers, and others filed an amicus brief November 3 in support of a legal challenge to Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act, which broadens the FBI’s access to library, business, and bookstore records. "The Patriot Act authorizes the FBI to engage in fishing expeditions in bookstore and library records and then bars booksellers and librarians from protesting even after the fact. Such an unprecedented extension of prosecutorial power demands immediate court review," said Chris Finan, president of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, one of the brief’s signers. The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Detroit in July on behalf of six Arab and Muslim-American community groups who believe they have been targets of investigation. Groups signing the brief are the American Library Association’s Freedom to Read Foundation the Association of American Publishers, the Association of American University Presses, the Center for First Amendment Rights, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Feminists for Free Expression, the First Amendment Project, and PEN American Center. Posted November 10, 2003. |
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