Ask Your Members of Congress: Will You Commit to the Constitution?

With your help, we are going to put all 535 members of Congress on the record by asking a simple question: Will you defend the Constitution? And will you defend it now?

Answering yes means standing up on these critical issues:

- Ending rampant surveillance and warrantless spying on Americans.
- Shutting down Guantanamo Bay and giving those held there access to justice.
- Restoring habeas corpus and due process.
- Stopping torture and extraordinary rendition, the practice of secretly kidnapping people and sending them to countries that torture.
- Bringing back checks and balances, because the executive branch needs oversight.

Urge your Representative and Senators to commit to defending the Constitution and fighting the Bush administration's politics of fear. Send them a free fax or e-mail today.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Make a Commitment to the Constitution

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I believe America can be safe, while at the same time remaining free. That's why, as your constituent, I'm asking you to make a commitment to the Constitution and fight the politics of fear. Specifically, I would like to know where you stand on these issues:

- Ending rampant surveillance and warrantless spying on Americans.

- Shutting down Guantanamo Bay and giving those held there access to justice.

- Restoring habeas corpus and due process.

- Stopping torture and extraordinary rendition, the practice of secretly kidnapping people and sending them to countries that torture.

- Bringing back checks and balances, because the executive branch needs oversight!

These issues are important to me.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
September 27, 2007

Background Information

The Campaign for Our Constitution (www.ourconstitution.net) has a new partner in the race to restore basic liberties. The ACLU is launching a 100-day Don't Wait for '08 drive to demand Congress act on four critical issues before the end of the year: ending warrantless wiretapping, shutting down Guantanamo Bay, restoring habeas corpus, and stopping torture.

The ACLU is working to put all 535 members of Congress on notice: Will you defend the Constitution?

If the answer is no, we'll turn up the pressure through local newspaper and radio ads, billboards and online strategies, and grassroots pressure both online and offline. The goal is to get Congress to sign on to key pieces of legislation restoring fundamental freedoms before Jan. 1.

The Campaign for Our Constitution will be planning local events and legislative visits to bring attention to our issues.

If you're a member of the national ACLU's list, you may receive two e-mails invites to Don't Wait for '08 actions. That's not a mistake. Because the ACLU of Southern California takes on issues that really matter to people living here, we keep our own lists. And because we value your privacy, we don't share your information with anyone.

The Campaign for Our Constitution will continue long after Jan. 1 -- until we've restored our stolen liberties.