Patriot Act faces community revolt in US
US congress is currently reviewing some sensitive aspects of the US Patriot Act, legislation enacted as the country’s response to the attacks of September 11. The legislation, passed in 2001, was so controversial that 17 aspects, relating mainly surveillance of terrorist suspects, had sunset clauses built into them. That means unless congress gives the OK, these provisions will die. While the US Justice Department wants these provision to live on, an unprecedented backlash against the laws by community groups is causing a rethink in congress. Nancy Talaian is the Director of the Bill of Rights Defense Committee. She told The Wire that 378 local communities around the country have passed resolution opposing the Patriot Act. She’s speaking here about come of the concerning aspects of the legislation.