Occupy Eugene calls on freedom loving Americans to speak out in solidarity next Tuesday, February 11: to stand together in support of our constitutional rights against illegal government surveillance. Please join us as we flood congress with the message that we support the USA Freedom Act and reject uncontrolled, secret mass surveillance of American citizens.
Last June, security contractor Edward Snowden confirmed our worst fears about the extent and intrusiveness of secret government surveillance on American citizens. Though regarded by the Obama administration as a common criminal or even a traitor, Snowden has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his disclosures about the nature of the American security state and the surveillance practices of the National Security Administration. Snowden’s disclosures have caused diplomatic and political turmoil around the world, yet the Obama administration continues to stonewall calls for reform from Congress, the advisory panel the President selected himself, the American public and the information technology industry, which has lost billions due to international mistrust of US information technology following disclosure of NSA abuses. On January 27, Snowden gave an extensive interview on German TV which has been withheld from the American people, but can be found at LiveLeak.com Why is there US media blackout on hearing Edward Snowden explain his case? Perhaps it’s because he accuses the US Director of National Intelligence of lying to Congress about NSA mass surveillance.
A chief author of The Patriot Act, Republican Representative Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin, chair of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism and Crime, has joined with the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Democratic Senator Leahy of Vermont in calling for passage of the USA Freedom Act, which will force the Obama administration to rein in its illegal surveillance practices and bring some measure of public oversight to our government’s massive surveillance programs. Senator Sensenbrenner has pledged to lead a fight to de-fund the NSA if it continues in its lawless behavior of mass, illegal spying on American citizens, and he needs our support to be able to carry through on his pledge.
On February 11, Occupy Eugene will add our voice to a rising chorus in support of the USA Freedom Act. We invite everyone to join us, and to support Senator Ron Wyden in his efforts to bring our secret government to light.
There will be two key points expressed, in the message, to Congress
For more on Edward Snowden and NSA surveillance:
NY Times: Edward Snowden, Whistleblower
NSA insiders blow the whistle on illegal, ineffective surveillance
Where Does the President Stand on NSA Reform? | American Civil Liberties Union