Concerned about Habeas Corpus? Maybe you should be. Remember the Constitution? There's this one bit: "the privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public safety may require it."

Below follows the information for the upcoming (free!) bus trip to D.C. on Tuesday, the 26th of June. To sign up or find out more, just visit http://www.juneaction.org or the ACLU of Pennsylvania's website at http://aclupa.org. You can help by coming along, passing along the word, or printing out a flyer, available in PDF format at http://www.aclupa.org/downloads/DayofActionHabeas.pdf.

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Join us in Washington, D.C.!

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.

On June 26, 2007, join us in Washington, D.C. as we call on Congress to restore habeas corpus, fix the Military Commissions Act, stop torture, and restore all our constitutional rights. Rally with us outside the Capitol, then help deliver our urgent message in person to Members of Congress. This is your chance to make your voice heard!

Buses will be leaving from Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia in the morning of June 26th. Sign up at the national ACLU Day of Action website to reserve a spot on the bus!

The Day of Action to Restore Law and Justice is being 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, Brandywine Peace Community, Coalition for Peace Action, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)-PA, League of Women Voters-PA, the Liberty Center for Survivors of Torture, Pittsburgh/Western PA Irish American Unity Conference, Philadelphia Physicians for Social Responsibility, the Shalom Center, the Thomas Merton Center, and Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)- U.S. Section .

Join us in standing up for our rights and to protect freedom and fairness!
Can't come to DC? coming to DC BUT want to do more? Here are 4 ways to Take action!

1) Contact Congress: Urge Senator Casey (202-224-6324), Senator Specter (202-224-4254), and your U.S. Representative to co-sponsor:

· The Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007 (H.R. 1415, S.576) - making clear that no president can make up his or her own rules regarding torture and abuse.

· The Habeas Corpus Restoration Act (H.R. 1416, S. 185) - restoring the constitutional due process right of habeas corpus that was eliminated by the MCA. (Sen. Specter is a sponsor of the Senate version. Rep. Chaka Fattah is co-sponsor of the House version.)

2) Sign the petition to restore habeas corpus. The ACLU is gathering 100,000 signatures nationwide on petitions that we'll deliver to Congress demanding a return to our fundamental values of freedom and fairness.

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 "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.
HABEAS 101

ð What is habeas corpus?

It's a legal procedure guaranteed by the constitution that means the government can't throw you in prison without charging you with a crime and without giving you the chance to defend yourself against the government's accusations. Habeas corpus gives you, whether you're a citizen or not, the right to make the government justify why they're holding you and to ask for your freedom.

ð Why are we talking about it now?

The Military Commissions Act (MCA), passed by Congress last October, gives the president absolute power to decide who is an enemy of our country, to imprison some people indefinitely without charging them with a crime, and to define what is - and what is not - torture and abuse. It effectively abolishes habeas corpus.

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