Letter to Attorney General re: Anti-Terrorism Legislation

October 1, 2001

Honorable John Ashcroft
Attorney General of the United States
Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20530

Dear General Ashcroft:

Thank-you for acting quickly and deliberately in response to the events of September 11, 2001. America has never experienced such unbelievable acts on U.S. soil, and we have assurance under the President’s and your leadership that justice will be brought to all perpetrators involved in these heinous acts.

In the days following the attacks, we joined a broad coalition of groups in signing on to10 principles known as “In Defense of Freedom at a Time of Crisis.” We were pleased to be part of the ad hoc group, recognizing the great need for security and civil liberties in a time of crisis. These groups came together in response to the attack on America, not in response to any legislative proposal.

Such claims that the 150 organizations signed on to the coalition oppose specific legislation are inaccurate. The website (http://www.indefenseoffreedom.org/) explicitly states: “The IDOF Coalition supports the ten point statement listed above. The Coalition neither supports nor opposes specific legislation or provisions of legislation. Individual organizations in the coalition, however, may have taken positions on specific legislation.”

We are currently reviewing a variety of legislative proposals. We look forward to continuing that work with you, others in the Administration, and Members of Congress on specific legislation in reaction to September 11.

Sincerely,