PAKPAC has joined several groups that have worked on a legislative proposal known as the Civil Liberties Restoration Act (CLRA) that would minimize the impact of some of the most egregious post-9/11 civil liberties violations in effect today.

Main Leadership on the CLRA:
The CLRA will be first introduced in the Senate.
Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) has agreed to be the lead sponsor on the CLRA. Other senators that have been reached out to are Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Russell Feingold (D-WI), and Richard Durbin (D-IL) to serve as original co-sponsors.

It is expected that the House version of the CLRA to be introduced by Reps. Howard Berman (D-CA) and Bill Delahunt (D-MA). While the original co-sponsors of the CLRA will be from senior Democrats, we hope to gain bi-partisan support down the road. In other words, our intent is to encourage Republican support for the CLRA.

Grassroots Advocacy & Action Request: Taking CLRA “On the Road”:
We must make an every effort to build grassroots advocacy around the CLRA bill and its principles. By taking the CLRA “on road,” we hope to gather insight and wisdom from all impacted communities.

PAKPAC requests all members, supporters, and other Pakistani American organizations along with American Muslim organizations to:
A) Inform us of all local stories and voices into these advocacy efforts. (info@pakpac.net )

B) Use this CLRA to serve as an organizing vehicle on the wide range of civil liberties/post 9-11 issues. (This is one issue all organizations must agree on)

C) Discuss with your members of congress, both in the senate and the house about CLRA and that they must support this either as co-sponsors or voters in support. (to contact your members of congress go to : http://www.pakpac.net/action3.asp

D) Once the CLRA is introduced, we hope that advocates can meet with their Members of Congress to gain support for the bill.

For questions, concerns and coordination please write to us at info@pakpac.net

CLRA Bill Text: Once we have received a final version of the CLRA bill from our legislative contacts, we will share a copy with all.