NEW YORK : The New York City Council Committee on Governmental Operations, chaired by Councilman Bill Perkins, conducted an oversight hearing on Oct. 20 to assess criticism that the Patriot Act is eroding civil rights and civil liberties, a ‘Briefing Paper and Report of the Governmental Affairs Division,’ said.

The committee also reviewed and accepted testimony on Resolution 909-A, which called upon federal, state and local officials and New York City agencies and institutions to affirm and uphold civil rights and civil liberties. The hearing served as a forum for witnesses and the public to offer testimony regarding the various issues addressed in the report of the Governmental Affairs Division.

The resolution was proposed by council members Charles Barron, Larry Seabrook, Albert Vann, David Yassky, Maria Baez, Yvette Cl-arke, Leroy Comrie, Alan Gerson, Alan Jennings, Oliver G. Koppell, John Liu, Christine Quinn, Philip Reed, Joel Rivera, James Sanders, Robert Jackson, Gale Brewer, Pedro Espada, Eva Moskowitz, Diana Reyna, Jose Serrano, Bill de Blassio and David Weprin.

Speaker Gifford Miller expressed concern that the Patriot Act maybe overly broad and could infringe on Americans’ rights and lawful protections to privacy, freedom of expression and due process, all of which are guaranteed by the Constitution.

Later, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) joined Councilman Perkins and representatives of civil liberty organizations at a press conference in support of Resolution 909-A.

The resolution said the protection of civil rights and civil liberties was essential for the well-being of a free and democratic society and that New York has a diverse population, including immigrants and students, whose contributions are vital to the city.

It said there was no inherent conflict between national security and preservation of liberty and that Americans could be safe.

The resolution said the new provisions in the Patriot Act, Homeland Security Act and related executive orders adopted since Sept. 11, 2001, pose a particular threat to the civil liberties of the residents of New York, who are or appear to be Arab, Muslim or of South Asian descent.

In the resolution, the council resolved to affirm its strong commitment to support the rights and liberties promised in the Constitution and Bill of Rights and to oppose measures that infringed upon the rights and liberties.

It also affirmed its strong support for the rights of immigrants and opposed measures that singled out individuals for legal scrutiny or enforcement activity based solely on their country of origin.By Arvind Padmanabhan