Library Challenge to Patriot Act Gag Rule Appealed to Supreme Court

Interview with Michael Gorman, president of the American Library Association, conducted by Scott Harris

As the nation focuses attention on Harriet Miers, President Bush's nominee to fill the critical Supreme Court seat of retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor -- America's highest court has been asked to intervene in a challenge to a controversial provision of the USA Patriot Act.

The case originated in Bridgeport, Conn. where a library was served with a "national security letter" demanding private records related to an FBI terrorism or espionage investigation. A consortium of librarians, known as "John Doe," represented by the American Civil Liberties Union challenged the government's right to impose a gag rule preventing them from identifying themselves and publicly expressing opposition to the Patriot Act provisions that allows the government to secure library patron records, regardless of the patron's involvement in illegal activity.

In September, U.S. District Court Judge Janet Hall ruled in favor of the librarians and the ACLU. She said the gag rule "has the practical effect of silencing individuals with a constitutionally-protected interest in speech and whose voices are particularly important in an ongoing national debate about the intrusion of government authority into individual lives." However, Judge Hall's ruling was put on hold by a federal appeals court and now the case is being appealed to the U. S. Supreme Court. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Michael Gorman, president of the American Library Association, who explains why he strongly objects to the Patriot Act gag rule imposed on librarians and his concern about the loss of civil liberties in post-Sept. 11 America.

Contact the American Library Association by calling 1-800 545-2433 or visit their website at: www.ala.org

Related links:

American Civil Liberties Union at www.aclu.org

"Judge shows perfect balance: Fair, tough," by Marian Brown, Connecticut Post, Oct. 2, 2005

" Patriot Act Challenged in Connecticut," Reuters, Aug. 31, 2005

" Library Sues Over Controversial Patriot Act," Reuters, Aug. 25, 2005

"In Legal Papers Unsealed Today, Librarian Speaks of Fear of Imprisonment Over Government Gag in Patriot Act Challenge," ACLU press release, Sept. 2, 2005

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