Council approves version of Patriot Act resolution

By Ted Weihman/Independent Staff Writer

SOUTH KINGSTOWN - The Town Council Monday became the second in Rhode Island to pass a resolution in opposition to the USA Patriot Act. The council unanimously voted to approve a letter and a resolution, addressed to the state's congressional delegation, that urges it "to review and revise any sections of the USA Patriot Act or recent executive orders" that violate civil liberties guaranteed by the Constitution.

The resolution comes two weeks after 130 people packed council chambers in Town Hall to hear more than a dozen speakers voice their concerns over the act.

Though the language of the resolution stopped short of the Block Island resolution, which said the act "contradicted the sovereign rights" of citizens, the action of the council makes plain local citizens' concerns.

As was the case at the Nov. 10 meeting, when the South Kingstown Justice and Peace Action Group first requested action on the resolution, several and diverse speakers addressed the council members.

But Monday's session differed slightly in that it included voices in defense of the Patriot Act.

"I'm willing to sacrifice my freedom for the safety of the children and people in this room," said Rod Raso of Perryville. After accusing former Town Councilwoman and J-PAG member Carole Costanza of having past radical affiliations, Raso referred to terrorist groups as "killers" and said "They're trying to kill us." He later said that he hadn't meant to offend anyone.

Clifton Chappel also spoke in defense of the Patriot Act, though his comments were less personal than Raso's. A 7-year veteran of the Marines, Chappel argued that the Patriot Act had not, in fact, infringed on the rights of citizens. He offered an example in which he said he had informed law enforcement authorities that an Arabic-looking man was taking pictures of the Newport Bridge. The man was questioned and released, he said.

Despite periodic tensions, the majority of the participants in the discussion supported some sort of action limiting the power of the Patriot Act. The council's letter and resolution, after council President Barbara Hackey read them aloud, were met with a standing ovation.

"Each person [on the council] did not think alike - government is about compromise," Hackey said. "I'm sure it's not strong enough for some, and too strong for others, but it's what we came up with."

In addition, speakers favoring the resolution included South Kingstown High School senior Molly Little, who said she was frisked by police while in Columbus, Ga., over the weekend. Paul Jordan of Wakefield addressed the council to read the names of conservative people and organizations, such as Dick Armey and the National Rifle Association, opposed to the act; Todd Preston spoke about due process and the importance of immigrants in American history.

John O'Malley, a social studies teacher, urged the council to "remember the number and variety of people who spoke" at the last council meeting, which was attended by 130 people who were overwhelmingly in favor of a resolution.

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