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A MOTION affirming King County's abhorrence of, and opposition to, global terrorism, and its commitment to protecting the civil rights and civil liberties of all King County residents.
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WHEREAS, King County's highly utilized waterways, large active port, major international airport, multiple bridges, access to military, dispatch and transport of hazardous waste into Hanford and proximity to the Canadian border make the region uniquely vulnerable to terrorism, and
WHEREAS, King County has a diverse population whose contribution to the community are vital to its economy, culture and civic character, and
WHEREAS, King County denounces terrorism and acknowledges that federal, state and local governments have a responsibility to protect the public from terrorist attacks and should ensure that any new security measures enhance public safety without unconstitutionally impairing civil rights or civil liberties, and
WHEREAS, King County is proud of its long and distinguished tradition of protecting the civil rights and civil liberties of all its residents and affirming the fundamental rights of all people, and
WHEREAS, Congress passed the USA PATRIOT Act (PL 107-56) on October 26, 2001, following the horrific attacks on America of September 11, 2001, and
WHEREAS, the King County council believes that there is no inherent conflict between national security and the preservation of constitutional rights and liberties, and
WHEREAS, the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution and the Declaration of Rights of the Constitution of the state of Washington guarantee freedom of speech, assembly and privacy, equality before the law and the presumption of innocence, access to counsel and due process in judicial proceedings and protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, for all people living in King County, and
WHEREAS, the preservation of civil rights and civil liberties is a pillar of American society and is essential to the well-being ...

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