For nearly seven years, our core values of freedom and fairness
have been eroded, from the suspension of habeas corpus and due
process, to shameful acts of torture, CIA kidnappings and secret
prison programs.

June 26, 2007, was a Day of Action to Restore Law and Justice in Washington, D.C. We called on Congress to restore habeas corpus, fix the Military Commissions Act, stop torture, and restore our constitutional rights.  

The Day of Action to Restore Law and Justice was organized by
the ACLU, Amnesty International USA, and others to speak out
against recent abuses of power that have eroded some of our most
basic freedoms. 

Local co-sponsors include the ACLU of Pennsylvania, Amnesty
International USA-Greater Philadelphia Area, AmnestyBucksMont, Brandywine Peace Community, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)-PA, Irish American Unity Conference-Pittsburgh Chapter, League of Women Voters-PA, the Liberty Center for Survivors of Torture, the Shalom Center, the Thomas Merton Center, and Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)-U.S. Section. 

Couldn't go to DC? Went to DC but want to do more?  Here are
4 more ways to take action:

1)  Contact Congress. Urge Senator Casey (202-224-6324) to cosponsor the Habeas Corpus Restoration Act (S. 185, introduced by Senators Specter and Leahy), restoring the constitutional due process right of habeas corpus, which was eliminated by the Military Commissions Act, and the Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007 (S. 576), making clear that no president can make up his or her own rules regarding torture and abuse.

Urge Senator Specter (202-224-4254) to cosponsor the Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007 (S. 576), making clear that no president can make up his or her own rules regarding torture and abuse.

Urge Rep. Patrick Murphy (202-225-4276) to cosponsor the Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007 (H.R. 1415), making clear that no president can make up his or her own rules regarding torture and abuse. Thank him for cosponsoring the Habeas Corpus Restoration Act H.R. 2826. Rep. Nadler is offering a similar bill, H.R. 1416. If you are outside PA's 8th Congressional District, you can find your representative at http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml#pa. 

2)  Sign the petition:
https://secure.aclu.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=june_petition to restore habeas corpus.

3)  Write a letter to the editor and/or blog about the elimination of
habeas corpus and the other problems in the Military Commissions
Act. Get more information and talking points at
www.aclupa.org/juneaction.
 
4)  Keep the discussion going! Host a house party or discussion
group. Rent the movie The Road to Guantanamo, or use news and radio shows to start a conversation and encourage your friends to
do their part to restore the Constitution. For background on the
issues, go to www.aclupa.org/juneaction and www.findhabeas.com.

Background information for those not yet involved, courtesy of the ACLU:

What Is Habeas Corpus?

The "Great Writ" of habeas corpus is a fundamental right in the Constitution that protects against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment. Translated from Latin it means "show me the body." Habeas corpus has historically been an important instrument to safeguard individual freedom against arbitrary executive power.

Our nation’s Founders considered habeas corpus so important to guaranteeing our basic rights that they specifically enshrined it in Article I of the U.S. Constitution.

Why Did Congress Pass the Military Commissions Act?

In June 2006, the Supreme Court found in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld that military commissions at Guantanamo created by President Bush were invalid. The court said that the rules violated Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions regarding the treatment of detainees being held indefinitely.

After the decision, President Bush asked Congress to pass legislation that would make the military commission trials legal and strip detainees of their due process habeas rights – which they did by passing the Military Commissions Act right before November 2006elections.

How Does the Military Commissions Act Take Away Habeas Rights?

Section 6 of the Military Commissions Act strips any non-citizen, declared an "enemy combatant" by any president, of the right to be heard in court to establish his or her innocence, regardless of how long he or she is held without charge. This habeas-stripping provision applies to the detainees held in U.S. custody at Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere. It violates the Constitution and basic American values.

Is It Constitutional to Strip a Person of Their Habeas Rights?

No. Section 6 of the Military Commissions Act is unconstitutional and will eventually be struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. Several cases challenging the law are already working their way through the courts.

What Can I Do?

Bills have been introduced in Congress that would restore habeas corpus rights – the Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007 (H.R. 1415, S. 576) and the Habeas Corpus Restoration Act (H.R. 1416, H.R. 2826, S. 185). Members of Congress should be urged to cosponsor this vital legislation.