-- Alexander Hamilton, Federalist Paper 84
Dear louise robinson,
The constitutional due process right of habeas corpus is in a state of disrepair, thanks to the ideology of unchecked executive power propagated by the Bush administration and its allies in Congress. The 110th Congress, under new leadership, must act without delay to undo the damage done by the 109th Congress and RESTORE HABEAS CORPUS.
http://www.pfaw.org/go/RestoreHabeas
On June 26, thousands of Americans will rally in Washington, DC for a Day of Action to Restore Law and Justice. You can join them by taking action online -- think of it as a "virtual march" on Washington. Sign PFAW's Restore Habeas petition, and your voice will be heard on June 26 when we deliver the petitions to Congress.
After you sign the petition, please spread the word and forward it to friends and family.
The Military Commissions Act of 2006 (MCA), passed by the Republican-controlled Congress in late 2006 and shortly thereafter signed into law by President Bush, eliminates the right of habeas corpus for certain detainees at Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere. (In addition, it gives the president the power to declare unilaterally who is an enemy combatant, decide who can be held indefinitely without charges and define what is torture and abuse.)
Habeas corpus, also known as the "Great Writ," dates back to the Magna Carta of 1215. Roughly translated, it means "produce the body" and is the name of the legal action (or writ) by which detainees can seek relief from unlawful imprisonment. It's what -- until now -- prevented the government from making people "disappear" without some chance to challenge their confinement. Expressly protected in Article I of the Constitution, it's the primary defense of individual freedom against arbitrary executive action, and the core principle that allows for the protection of most other constitution rights.
Passage of the Military Commissions Act was underappreciated by most Americans in its monumental scope -- it was, and continues to be, an affront to the core founding values of this country. Join civil liberties activists from all around the country in calling on Congress to take the first step in correcting that grave mistake: Tell Congress to Restore Habeas Corpus.
http://www.pfaw.org/go/RestoreHabeas
Thank you for defending the Constitution and defending democracy!
-- Your Allies at People For the American Way
P.S. If you can make it to Washington on Tuesday, June 26 for the Day of Action, please join us and your fellow PFAW supporters for several activities throughout the day. E-mail national@pfaw.org and provide your name and contact information.