CCRA to Campaign for
Constitutionally Guaranteed “Unalienable Rights” Fremont,
CA:
The California Civil Rights
Alliance (CCRA), on December 20, met with Steve Waterhouse,
editor of the Argus, a newspaper serving the tri-city
area of Fremont, Newark and Union cities. The meeting
was held to compare notes about local politics, the erosion
of civil liberties, the reintroduction of SJR 22 - California’s
statewide civil rights resolution, and the growing Islamophobia
as evident from a recent survey reported by the Associated
Press on December 17.
The survey conducted by Cornell University, found that
nearly half of all Americans believe the US government
should restrict the civil liberties of Muslim-Americans.
The survey also found that “Republicans and people who
described themselves as highly religious were more apt
to support curtailing Muslims’ civil liberties” than the
so-called, less religious people, or Democrats. Based
on the belief that the curtailment of liberties for some,
in effect curtails the liberties of all, the CCRA- a statewide
coalition, is launching a full campaign geared to defend
and preserve the constitutionally guaranteed “unalienable
rights.” The CCRA, formed in Jan 2003, includes 25 mainstream
organizations from diverse backgrounds, races, religions,
and economic status.
It provides voter information on the position of candidates
vis-a-vis issues affecting civil liberties, and engages
with legislators to repeal the USA Patriot Act and subsequent
unconstitutional provisions. The meeting with the Argus
Editor Steve Waterhouse, was attended by many CCRA group
members including Jo Chamberlain, Co-Chair of the national
Green Party; Mark Hinkle, former chair of the California
Libertarian Party; Moina Shaiq, a local activist who works
closely with a number of legislators; Hazem Kira a CCRA
representative; and Dr. Agha Saeed, national chair of
the American Muslim Alliance. The two hour meeting explored
ways to foster understanding among the diverse local communities.
It focused on the American Muslim vote in 2004 and its
significance to the San Francisco Bay Area where a large
American Arab and Muslim community lives, and reviewed
reports of the erosion of civil liberties in the US in
the wake of 9/11. Dr. Saeed emphasized the need to build
a culture of hope and opportunity by promoting the culture
of the “ballot versus the bullet” to achieve a peaceful
coexistence and mutual benefit. He also underlined the
crucial role of the legislators and the media in encouraging
the mutual exchange of ideas and a defense against curtailing
the rights of any one community.
Dr. Saeed also highlighted the global significance of
the Muslim vote. When Muslims around the world see t hat
American Muslims are accepted as full citizens and engaged
in the democratic American process, then those constitutional
values will be adopted more easily, he explained. Nearly
93% of Muslims supported Senator Kerry contrary to the
70% that supported President Bush in 2000. This represents
the largest bloc vote in the nation for any one presidential
candidate. He cautioned that actions taken by the US government
must follow their rhetoric if there is to be a free society,
the rule of law, and protection of civil liberties for
its entire people. The next few years will either reinforce
those Democratic values or add to a heightened sense of
polarization. What is done on the local, state and national
level by legislators, and voices in the media - who express
frustration and concern through a nonviolent medium, will
determine the outcome of that relationship.
Visibly engaged in the discussion, the Argus editor, encouraged
increased communication with the Muslim community to present
as precise a representation of the American Muslim community
as possible, especially those living in the tri-city area.
He also recommended the CCRA continue its multiparty approach,
and be as articulate in its objectives as possible. The
CCRA provided Mr. Waterhouse with documents of a statewide
resolution it is formulating, a report that it requested
from Senator Figueroa on the impact of the USA PATRIOT
Act on California Muslims, and informed him of upcoming
statewide hearings. CCRA plans to hold similar meetings
with other members of the media and pledges to remains
a steady voice for the rights of the few and the many
against any constitutional encroachments. Those interested
in supporting the statewide civil rights initiative may
call the California Civil Rights Alliance at: 510 252
9858.
