The Occasional Blog of Jonah Weiland

The Patriot Act, passed into law in October of 2001, is a frightening bit of legislation. The need for it is not so much in question, but rather the implementation and how far reaching it in fact is. Take this account of someone who was detained under the provisions of the Patrior Act:

Two weeks ago I experienced a very small taste of what hundreds of South Asian immigrants and U.S. citizens of South Asian descent have gone through since 9/11, and what thousands of others have come to fear. I was held, against my will and without warrant or cause, under the USA PATRIOT Act. While I understand the need for some measure of security and precaution in times such as these, the manner in which this detention and interrogation took place raises serious questions about police tactics and the safeguarding of civil liberties in times of war.

Real the full story here. It’s worth your time.

Here’s another interesting excerpt:

When I asked to speak to a lawyer, the INS official informed me that I do have the right to a lawyer but I would have to be brought down to the station and await security clearance before being granted one. When I asked how long that would take, he replied with a coy smile: “Maybe a day, maybe a week, maybe a month.”

We insisted that we had every right to leave and were going to do so. One of the policemen walked over with his hand on his gun and taunted: “Go ahead and leave, just go ahead.”

Much thanks to Charles for sending this article.