State resolution calls for limiting USA Patriot Act

OLYMPIA – Some state lawmakers want to tell Congress they think the flagship federal law aimed at fighting terrorism should be changed to make sure it doesn’t compromise people’s civil rights.

The state House and Senate judiciary committees heard public testimony Tuesday on a measure that would urge Congress to pass a new law limiting some of the USA Patriot Act’s broad surveillance provisions.

Passed in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Patriot Act expanded the government’s power to investigate people suspected of supporting terrorism, and search and seize their personal property.

Congress is expected to consider possible changes to the Patriot Act this year.

Jafar “Jeff” Siddiqui, a Seattle real estate broker who immigrated from Pakistan 30 years ago, told committee members about a Hindu college roommate who once was hauled into a Pakistani prison without any explanation. The government simply cited safety and security, saying his friend was perceived as a threat.

He said his friend was held for a long time, then released – again without any explanation. Siddiqui argued that tenuous links to terrorism should not be enough to jail people indefinitely without charging them with any crime.

“It’s not right, and it’s not American,” Siddiqui said. “They are not saving us by putting innocent people in jail.”

Ian Spiers, a photography student from Seattle, said urging Congress to make changes in the Patriot Act would be a solid step toward restoring people’s confidence that their civil rights aren’t in jeopardy.

Spiers spoke from firsthand experience.

He told legislators about finding himself surrounded by armed law enforcement officers last May after he took photos of the Ballard Locks.

Referencing the Patriot Act, the officers told him it was illegal to photograph federal property, demanded his ID and told him he needed permission to return, he said. After his case made headlines, the Army Corps of Engineers, which runs the locks, said such a rule doesn’t exist.

“Everyone – all members of the public – are welcome on the locks property, and photographs are allowed, and there’s no need to get prior permission,” Corps spokeswoman Patricia Graesser said at the time.

The Patriot Act resolution has garnered support from both parties.

Reps. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver, and Toby Nixon, R-Kirkland, are co-sponsoring the House version of the joint memorial – what lawmakers often call a “letter to Santa Claus.” Sen. Adam Kline, D-Seattle, is sponsoring the Senate version.

The state’s Republic attorney general, Rob McKenna, also supports the measure.

While most lawmakers acknowledge that such resolutions have no power to change anything, Moeller said letting Congress know about the state’s concerns is important.

“Let us at least send notification – a letter to Santa Claus – that we won’t let the chance of our rights being diminished or reduced pass us without imploring them not to,” he said.