National Security

Two bills promoted by the Affiliate in response to the government’s continuing “war on terrorism” died in committee. One proposal, introduced by Representative Fausto Anguilla and Senator Charles Levesque, vigorously opposed by the State Police, was designed to restrict police from engaging in political surveillance. The bill was prompted in part by the ACLU’s disclosure in December that the Providence Police Department obtained over $100,000 in federal homeland security money for police officers to attend a training on how to “handle” protests and “civil actions.” A second bill, sponsored by Representative Edith Ajello and Senator Charles Levesque, sought to repeal a 2002 statute, passed in the wake of 9/11 hysteria, exempting from the open records law various records of water management supply systems. The only real effect of this law is to keep citizens in the dark about water supply problems. At committee hearings, the bill was supported by environmental groups and the Division of Statewide Planning, while opposed by the state water resources board which, apparently, carried the most sway. The ACLU plans to push for passage of both bills next session.