Quotes by Ann Beeson

“It is crucial that we recognize the important separation of powers principles that our democracy was founded on, ... There should always be a check on the executive branchs power, the presidents power, to take away that most fundamental of liberty interests and that is the governments ability to detain a person, possibly indefinitely.”

“There are considerable First Amendment issues involved in such a move.”

“criminal statute that violates a whole range of protected speech.”

“Although the government claims the censorship law is necessary to protect minors, it has not even used all of the tools currently available to protect them from sexually explicit content.”

“This type of investigation is really a form of intimidation and a message to activists that they will pay a price for speaking out, ... The posting of publicly available information about people who are in the news should not trigger an investigation.”

“Its fabulous, ... Clearly the judge recognized it was profoundly undemocratic to gag a librarian from participating in the Patriot Act debate.”

“Our client wants to tell the American public about the dangers of allowing the FBI to demand library records without court approval.”

“should be used a shield for sensitive evidence, not a sword the government can use at will to cut off argument in a case before the evidence can be presented. We are urging the Supreme Court, which has not directly addressed this issue in 50 years, to rein in the governments misuse of this privilege.”

“Our first amendment rights are irreparably harmed, every day the gag continues,”

“The most immediate concern we have is that if Congress passes the House version, our client could actually go to jail for participating in the Patriot Act debate.”