People for the American Way

Here's a message from People for the American Way:

As President Bush boldly vows to continue spying on American citizens, your senators will choose whether to replace Sandra Day O'Connor with a man who has repeatedly sanctioned the abuse of executive power. They will confront Samuel Alito's record of consistently favoring powerful entities such as corporations, the government, and law enforcement over individual rights. And they will learn more about Samuel Alito's career as a judicial activist working to roll back civil rights, religious liberty, environmental protections, and reproductive rights.

The hearings can make or break this nomination, and, as PFAW's National Field Director, I can tell you that organized public reaction to the proceedings can influence how senators will ultimately vote. And senators listen most to their own constituents. PFAW's field team and our coalition allies throughout the fifty states are organizing rallies, town-hall meetings, and press conferences to make sure senators know their constituents care about how they vote on Alito.

Senators have shown a new willingness to stand up to the President when the American people demand it with their recent filibuster of the PATRIOT Act and their insistence on the inclusion of anti-torture provisions in the Department of Defense Appropriations bill. There has never been a more important time to get involved to save the Supreme Court -- generations of social justice progress could be undone if the Senate votes to confirm Samuel Alito.

Please visit the Stop Alito State Headquarters at http://www.pfaw.org to find out how you can get involved.

You are the most important ingredient in our success -- thanks for all your work.

Kimberly Robson
National Field Director

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Here's the text of TrueMajority's petition:

Samuel Alito's potential appointment to the Supreme Court raises concerns in many areas, from reproductive and civil rights to the environment and corporate powers.

I oppose his nomination and demand that my senators use any means possible to stop his confirmation, including voting against it.

Please visit the Stop Alito State Headquarters

PATRIOT Act Extension: A Chance for Change

Following the last-minute deal to extend the PATRIOT Act for six months, People For the American Way President Ralph G. Neas had the following statement:

“This is a victory that should send Congress and the White House back to the bargaining table to shape a better bill, one that will protect Americans’ civil liberties and safeguard national security. The extension ensures a spirited public debate, and the chance for the American people to let their members of Congress know how they feel about the critical balance between civil rights and the need to thwart security threats.

“Law-abiding Americans deserve to know that their government will not secretly tap their phones, read their medical records, access their library accounts or otherwise invade their personal lives, with no oversight or accountability. Law-abiding Americans also deserve to know that when law enforcement can show an impartial judge clear evidence of criminal activity or a threat to national security, swift and decisive action will be taken to protect the public. That is the balance we must achieve.

“We will continue to work with the House and the Senate to correct the most egregious excesses of the PATRIOT Act as it stands today. We will also continue our efforts to address the disturbing revelation that the President authorized the phone wiretapping of hundreds, perhaps thousands of Americans, in secret, without the authorization of any court or judge.

“We must not sacrifice liberty for security. With the breathing space provided by this extension, I am confident that Congress will craft a bill gives law enforcement and intelligence agencies the power they need to thwart threats to our security, while ensuring that the rights of law-abiding Americans are not trampled in the process.”

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