The Civil Liberties Task Force (CLTF) at ACLU of Massachusetts has been trying to have the Boston City Council pass a resolution affirming our civil liberties in an attempt to counter their erosion due to certain aspects of the USA PATRIOT Act. This can happen only if the City Council President and Councillor at-large, Michael Flaherty, allows the resolution to be brought in front of the Council. So far he doesn't seem inclined to do so.

Boston lags behind not only most other major American cities that have passed such resolutions, ordinances, or ballot initiatives; this largest New England city also lags behind several towns and cities in our own state.

It is important, therefore, to impress upon the City Council that there is widespread support for such a resolution. The CLTF is collecting signatures for this from Boston residents. I will be volunteering at the vigil preceding the Ford Hall Forum at Faneuil Hall at 5:00 PM today. There will be others doing the same at events around town over the next few months.

It would also help if Boston residents would contact their Councillors as well as the Councillors at-large, and express their support for the resolution. The CLTF is also seeking the endorsements of Boston organizations.

For more info, or to volunteer, go to CLTF, or email me and I'll do my best to help.