"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -Ben Franklin

•  Committee Report - The result of a one-year study by LWVWI members (101.41 KB)
• Bibliography and resource materials for the study
• Reading materials on related topics
• Events and Activities for the Leagues

The LWVUS position on Individual Liberties
from Impact on Issues 2002-2004, pp. 14-15

The League's History
Individual liberties is a long-standing League principle that became an integral part of national program positions in the mid-1970s. This basic concept has been at the center of the League's attention during times of national tension.

The "witchhunt" period of the early 1950s led the League to undertake a two-year Freedom Agenda community education program dealing with issues such as freedom of speech. Next came a focused study on the federal loyalty/security programs, culminating in a position that emphasized protection of individual rights. The League?s individual liberties principle was incorporated into the national program by the 1976 convention, thus authorizing the League to act against major threats to basic constitutional rights. Subsequent conventions reaffirmed that commitment, and in 1982 the LWVUS board authorized a specific statement of position on individual liberties.

The LWVWI Position on Individual Liberties

as Announced by National Board, March 1982:

The League of Women Voters of the United States believes in the individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. The League is convinced that individual rights now protected by the Constitution should not be weakened or abridged.
see all positions

At the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin 2003 State Convention in Appleton, the following item was adopted for Program: "Study the state and local governments' role in protecting individual liberties, including the National Patriot Act."

The Committee determined the following objectives and timetable

Objectives

1. To educate League members as to what individual liberties are guaranteed by the Constitution and to bring members up to date on the threats to these liberties in times of national crisis, including the current post 9-11 federal legislation.

2. To educate the public about these liberties and the current threats.

3. To reach a state consensus on protection of individual liberties in the current situation in order to provide the basis for state and local action.

Timetable

The state committee on individual liberties decided to accelerate the study for the purpose of being timely and effective. The aim was to reach consensus in time for adoption at the LWVWI Council Meeting in June, 2004.

1. Fall, 2003: The initial phase of the program, familiarizing League members with the background of constitutionally guaranteed individual liberties and threats to these liberties.

   
   W. Larry Church, Professor of Constitutional History at the UW Law School, was our keynote luncheon speaker at the Issues Briefing on October 25, 2003. In addition, several "Breakout Sessions" covered how the Patriot Acts affect various institutions and segments of society (libraries, booksellers, banks, immigrants).

   
   Local Leagues were urged to hold meetings before or soon after Issues Briefing 2003. The Individual Liberties web page carries recommended bibliographic and resource materials.
   
   

2. Winter, 2004: Second Phase, education of the public on the affects of the Patriot Act and similar legislation.
   Local Leagues were urged to plan these meetings for sometime during the winter, preferably in collaboration with other community groups (libraries, universities, newspapers, Bar Associations, banks, etc.).
   

    

3. Spring, 2004: Phase three, Consensus.
Consensus materials were sent out to the local Leagues in early January, 2004. The deadline for return to the State office was April 30, 2004. The results were sent to the State Board for approval at the Board Meeting on June 4, 2004, and submitted for adoption at the Council Meeting the next day. Results of the study were accepted, and new positions adopted by the Board and approved by the members at Council.