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The Bill of Rights
Amendment
I: Congress
shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the
press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition
the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment
II: A
well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,
the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment
III:
No
Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the
consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed
by law.
Amendment
IV:
The
right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and
effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be
violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported
by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be
searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment
V:
No
person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime,
unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases
arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual
service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject
for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor
shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself,
nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;
nor shall private property be taken for public use without just
compensation.
Amendment
V1: In all
criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and
public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the
crime shall have been committed; which district shall have been previously
ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the
accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have
compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the
assistance of counsel for his defense.
Amendment
V11:
In
suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty
dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried
by a jury shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States,
than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment
V111: Excessive
bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and
unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment
IX:
The
enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed
to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment
X: The powers
not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by
it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the
people.
Amendment
XIII:
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude … shall exist within the
United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Amendment XIV: No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws….
Amendment XV: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude….
Amendment XIX: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
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Dissent Is PatrioticThe Bill of Rights Defense Committee's e-mail newsletterOctober 24, 2003, Vol. 2, No. 7 Newsletter Articles:
In Brief:
As USA PATRIOT Act Turns Two, Civil Liberties Resolutions Reach 200October 26 marks two years since the misnamed USA PATRIOT Act was signed into law. The movement of cities and towns opposing the Patriot Act and other repressive measures enacted since September 11, 2001, has gathered momentum in recent months. On October 21, the number of local and state governments to have passed resolutions and ordinances opposing the Act reached 200, and the total population of those communities topped 25.5 million. Among the recent additions are ordinances passed by the City of Council of Huntington, West Virginia, and the County Commission of Idaho County. Hundreds more resolutions are in progress. BORDC recognizes and encourages the growing parallel movement of organizations, student and faculty groups, religious organizations, and unions that are also passing resolutions. Please visit our web pages for the resolutions and suggestions for getting involved, and feel free to contact our office for advice and assistance or to share tools that may benefit others. How to Implement a Strong ResolutionOne of the most frequently asked questions BORDC receives is, "Now that we have passed a resolution, how do we implement it?" This is a consideration that your community organization and local government should consider before you draft the resolution, because the implementation mechanism must be agreed to at that stage. For example, if you want your community to receive reports of how many residents have been detained, the charges against them, whether they are being given access to legal counsel, and how many times certain types of records have been requested, the commission that is to collect the information must be agreed to in advance and must be documented in the resolution. Implementation tools, including a checklist to simplify information gathering, can be found in the Tools section of BORDC's web site. In Brief:Report from First Grassroots America ConferenceLast weekend more than 200 defenders of civil liberties from 27 states
gathered in Silver Spring to strategize about how to advance the work they
have begun. The Bill of Rights Defense Committee thanks the many
conference committee members, speakers, and participants who volunteered
their time to make the watershed event a success, and to the many
endorsers who helped keep registration affordable. We will include the
attendees' next steps for the movement in a future issue of the
newsletter. Rename the Patriot Act Contest WinnersThe USA PATRIOT Act is one of many regulations enacted since September 11, 2001, that threatens civil liberties. People focus on it because of its misleading name. Open it up, and it's far from patriotic. To commemorate the Act's second anniversary, the Bill of Rights Defense Committee held a "rename the Patriot Act" contest to give those disenchanted with the Act an opportunity to say what they think the acronym really stands for. Of the many great entries we received, we have selected the following entries:
Congratulations to our winners, and thanks to all of you who sent us entries. We enjoyed all of them. Celebrate Bill of Rights Day December 15December 15 is Bill of Rights Day. For the November issue, please send your group's ideas for observing the day or week, so that we can share them with others. Several cities have ongoing observances that include a reading of the Bill of Rights on the steps of the city hall or other government building. Consider street theater (play or skit), a local forum, a school assembly, an op-ed in your local paper, visits to your legislators' in-district offices, a proclamation, a panel on your local access cable TV station, or a resolution. New Legislation to Amend Patriot Act Enjoys Bipartisan SupportThe movement of local and state governments to reclaim the Bill of Rights has been having an impact on our legislators in Washington. (If you've passed a resolution, make sure your legislators receive a copy, and keep reminding them of the strong message your community's resolution sends!) In October alone, the following new bills have been proposed in the House:
The first bill proposed to fix provisions of the Patriot Act, H.R. 1157, the Freedom to Read Protection Act, now has 140 cosponsors. Senate bills proposed this month include:
For more information on these and other bills aimed at rolling back the Patriot Act, visit the Legislation page on our web site. Unfortunately, some members of Congress have introduced legislation aimed at expanding the Patriot Act. For information on these introduced bills that threaten civil liberties, see our web site. Congress is expected to adjourn in early November, so make appointments now to visit your senators and house member while they are in your district. If your community has passed a resolution, urge your city councillors or other local government officials who supported the measure to join with community members in the legislative visits. Visit New Web Page on Threatened CommunitiesMany people have asked us how the Patriot Act and other post-September 11 changes have affected people, specifically the people of Arab, Muslim, and South Asian descent who have suffered detentions and other abuses. To help answer the question, we have added a Threatened Communities page to our web site. It provides links to other web sites, literature, and information. We also offer suggestions for people who want to help. As always, we invite suggestions for additions to the web page. Make a Gift in Defense of Civil Liberties
Help the Bill of Rights Defense Committee help communities across
the country that are helping to restore your precious liberties.
Consider making a tax-deductible contribution
online or via check or money order.
If you don't need a tax deduction, you may contribute directly to the Bill of Rights Defense Committee via check to the address below. Your purchase of bumper stickers, buttons, booklets, and Bill of Rights get well cards also help us to cover our expenses. Click here for our catalog. Never doubt that
a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Editor: Nancy Talanian, Director Web:
http://www.bordc.org/ |
