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Forum Post: OCCUPY MUST ACT: One Day Left Until American citizens can be detained indefinitely without charges by their own government.

Posted 12 years ago on Dec. 12, 2011, 3:23 p.m. EST by debbierl (72) from Adams, MA
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

Please comment, recommend, share with your local Occupy chapters, and work to get this on the front page of this website. There is NOTHING more important occurring this week. One day until it can be signed into law. Eleventh hour. GO!

Two Days Left Until American citizens can be detained indefinitely without charges by their own government.

To my fellow Occupiers:

We have a red alert emergency situation that needs to be spread on every Occupy site and wall across the nation. I am writing Occupy Wall St to IMPLORE the Occupy Wall St site to please feature this information at the top of their front page and act to convene IMMEDIATE citizen protest around this fascist policy which will threaten the rights and freedoms of all American citizens. Below is the petition from Change.org with instructions for individual citizen action. I believe this situation demands emergency protest by Occupy and we must act this very moment to stop our government from obtaining the right to indefinitely detain American citizens without charges. We know that the United States government has historically targeted peace, human rights, and environmental groups for targeting under the guise of 'protection' of American safety. This protection is not for the American citizens but rather the corporate/military interests whom stand to lose profit and power through exposure of their activities. Please share this information with the Occupy movement at large through the website, facebook links, all social networking sites, email, media, and any other venue which is viable. This could be signed as early as December 13.

Please be aware that those of us who have been working to spread the word are finding that some links are disabled or redirected. If this should happen cut and paste the original link to your browser and it should work.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Help spread the C-SPAN video proof that Obama requested NDAA 1031 include citizens. Here's how to do it -- Give a "Thumbs Up" or comment on the YouTube video - Click Here. People deserve to watch this before he signs it. Please consider it.

As soon as you sign this petition, the President and Congress will be sent your signature.

The President is about to sign a law that makes it so we can be imprisoned for life without evidence or a trial -- as soon as Dec. 13. This law is called NDAA Section 1031. Some people are saying he will veto it, or that the law as written has no effect for citizens, but they are terribly mistaken. Get familiar with the facts at the bottom of this petition. This video contains proof that his administration were the ones who requested citizen imprisonment:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLiKvSz_wX8

We have only a few days to speak up. Congress has already passed the NDAA overwhelmingly, and can submit it for the President to sign as soon as December 13. To stop this, more people need to know the facts listed at the bottom of this petition.

If we act urgently to raise awareness among our friends, family, and colleagues, we can still prevent this. Here is what we can do:

1) Americans must know about this to stop it. Urgently spread this petition as widely as possible. Write emails to journalists reminding them of the facts listed at the bottom of this petition.

2) Congress can still block the law before December 13. Write and call your Representative and Senator telling them to stop NDAA Section 1031 and the dangerously misleading Feinstein Amendment 1031(e). In your correspondence, mention the facts listed at the bottom of this petition.

3) Write and call the White House to tell the President you won't sit by and watch NDAA Section 1031 and the dangerously misleading Feinstein Amendment 1031(e) become law.

4) Stay smart! Here's a list of the most common points of confusion. Too many journalists are still confused about these facts -- please let them know:

  • The bill passed by Congress absolutely DOES NOT exempt citizens. Section 1031 reads, "A covered person under this section" includes "any person who has committed a belligerent act". We only have to be ACCUSED, because we don't get a trial.

  • Confusingly, Obama threatened a veto for 1032, but NOT 1031. 1032 is UNRELATED to imprisoning citizens without a trial. Obama has never suggested using a veto to stop Section 1031 citizen imprisonment. In fact, applying Section 1031 to citizens was requested by the Obama administration: See the video proof here.

  • The Feinstein Amendment 1031(e) is dangerously misleading. Don't be fooled: In the text of 1031(e), "Nothing in this section shall be construed...", the only word that matters is "construed" -- the Supreme Court are the only ones with the power to construe the law. The Feinstein Amendment 1031(e) permits citizens to be imprisoned without evidence or a trial forever, if the Supreme Court does not EXPLICITLY repeal 1031.

  • Any time you hear the words, "requirement for military custody" this refers to 1032 NOT 1031. We MUST not confuse these two sections. In its statements, the Obama administration has actually contributed to the confusion about 1032's "requirement for military custody", which is COMPLETEY UNRELATED to Section 1031 citizen imprisonment without trial. These tricky, misleading words appear even in major news stories. Don't fall for it!

Link to original petition on change.org. http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-ndaa-section-1031-citizen-imprisonment-law-before-dec-13

29 Comments

29 Comments


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[-] 4 points by debbierl (72) from Adams, MA 12 years ago

You have got to be kidding me. This is just going to fall like a stone? Do you not realize the implications for the Occupy protestors?

[-] 3 points by debbierl (72) from Adams, MA 12 years ago

I am very disheartened today. I wrote all the major Occupy facebook administrators to share on the front page of their wall (posted under everyone, of course). I contacted Occupy Together and Occupy Wall Street and implored them to place this on their front page, and there has been no unified outcry by Occupy over this action. So, we shut some ports down for a day but what does that mean in the face of legislation that will allow an unethical government to imprison citizens indefinitely and without charges if they deems such actions as 'terrorist threats' in the future. I watched as Occupy completely ignored the Nafta style free trade agreements pushed through Congress a few weeks back while marching on the streets demanding jobs. The disconnect is huge and we are failing to target the heart of issues. I can't believe this is just being ignored. UNREAL.

[-] 1 points by SayNO2GovInc (99) 12 years ago

The silence is loud and clear.

[-] 3 points by XenuLives (1645) from Charlotte, NC 12 years ago

Agreed. This needs to be spread.

[-] 6 points by debbierl (72) from Adams, MA 12 years ago

I think if people understood the fact that Occupy protestors could very well be targets under this new law. Look at the protest at the ports. Is it much of a stretch to think the US government would charge those with disruption of commerce and stretch that into some form of a terrorist activity? Obama requested this language. It is surreal that this fascist action that strikes at the very heart of our liberties isn't the central protest right now. I find this terrifying.

[-] 4 points by Frizolio (80) 12 years ago

Its ironic that the government is using Occupy as a diversion to pass very dirty things like this and although I don't agree with the whole Occupy thing I will not be cheering on when they are rounded up and put in FEMA camps. Many will cheer but they fail to realize they will be next. Communism, Capitalism, any ISM doesn't matter because they are still shooting for Totalitarianism. People are debating and protesting the wrong things. Just take a hard look at these Congress traitors on both sides of the isle. They take bribes from the 1% and sell the rest of us down the river.

[-] 6 points by debbierl (72) from Adams, MA 12 years ago

The main problem I see is that Occupy is failing to connect the corruption with the political enactors of corporate/military profit and power strategies. Major 'free trade' agreements passed without nary a word from Occupy despite their marching for American jobs that same week. I believe that since the majority of Occupiers are political democrats, they fear targeting the President or Congressional Dems because they don't want to empower the Republicans. But, really, if we are at the point where a democratic President would request language in legislation to be able to detain American citizens indefinitely without charges, there is no longer a lesser of two evils argument. It is all evil and it needs to be challenged on the principle of the policy, not the party/politician.

[-] 2 points by debbierl (72) from Adams, MA 12 years ago
[-] 1 points by SayNO2GovInc (99) 12 years ago

NDAA Citizen Imprisonment the MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE TO BE PROTESTING! NOTHING is as critical to Liberty, this is important to ALL Americans... the 99%.

People are making the calls, writing the letters and signing the petitions. So it should be top priority to OCCUPY... it IS a defining moment, either way.

Surely everyone here must realize OWS supporters may soon be facing military detention if NDAA becomes law. Is OWS losing site of the forest because of the trees? This is not political, this is a conspiracy and outright war on Americans by American government!

I suggest all OCCUPY camps to consider a simple statement to the World: --- On behalf of The American People, --- Unless citizen detainment by military is removed from NDAA, Occupy will be charging signers with Seditious conspiracy. ~ see details here: http://amerikanreich.com/2011/12/10/call-to-action-use-nasi-sars-to-charge-your-representative-senators-with-seditious-conspiracy/ ~

It can't hurt. I have to say there is growing concern and people are wondering. Like it or not, this is a test of OWS; the most defining moment yet. Gain support by addressing this or the lack of response will certainly lose a lot of supporters. You want unity, THIS IS IT. This really is no time for apathy from a movement that represent the 99%! Don't wait til it's signed into law!

Sure, Obama has threatened to veto NDAA, but NOT because it's treason, not to stop military detention of US citizens (HE REQUESTED THAT!!!)... not because he is protecting the Rule of Law, but because he is constrained. CONgress is about to present it to him... if they appease him on granting him more freedom to violate Rights, he will sign and it sure makes the whole thing worse.

THURSDAY may be the day the House and Senate make the final vote. IT IS URGENT!

"Proof Obama will sign NDAA 1031 Citizen Imprisonment Law in a few days" http://saynotocorporateamerica.blogspot.com/2011/12/proof-obama-will-sign-ndaa-1031-citizen.html

really good article today, 'How Congress is Signing its own Arrest Warrants in the NDAA Citizen Arrest Bill' http://naomiwolf.org/2011/12/how-congress-is-signing-its-own-arrest-warrants-in-the-ndaa-citizen-arrest-bill/#comment-225

[-] 1 points by dusetdarammarjane (3) from Secaucus, NJ 12 years ago

get this on the main page and spread the word.

[-] 1 points by Fitifong (39) from Kingsville, ON 12 years ago

This needs to be spread faster than Paris Hilton's legs!

[-] 1 points by zoom6000 (430) from St Petersburg, FL 12 years ago

Again both parties Behind closed Doors> 93 Congress vote yes

[-] 1 points by Misfit138 (172) 12 years ago

Quickly, set up tents on Wall Street. That's the way to get DC to change their ways...oh wait, OWS doesn't see DC as the problem, they want to focus on commerce and businesses. Keep being distracted by Wall Street while DC keeps shredding the Constitution. You are serving the politicians well and don't even realize it.

[-] 1 points by debbierl (72) from Adams, MA 12 years ago

Occupy did a huge service to the nation by creating national dialogue and organizing local communities to take action under its umbrella. People are having important conversations and coming together. I do agree that Occupy needs to directly protest the political system that enacts the policies of the corporate/military rule. But, given that the majority of Occupy are dems, it is not surprising with a dem President, Washington has not yet come under full protest. It will come.

[-] 1 points by Misfit138 (172) 12 years ago

Dollars to doughnuts that OWS won't even look at DC (other than the dozen they sent walking) until there is a Republican in the White House. It is disgusting, disingenuous and blatantly partisan.

[-] 1 points by Windsofchange (1044) 12 years ago

Thank you for this post and letter. I have been posting on the OWS forum about this awful bill (an attack on the rights of the American People) for two weeks now. I feel like if we allow this bill to become law--it would be a major loss for all Americans. This does indeed call for an emergency protest (even Marches)

There is so much betrayal and deception here. I was telling everyone first to say yes to the Udall amendment and then when that didn't pass the Feinstein Amendment. I didn't realize how misleading the Feinstein amendment was. I am furious that both these Senators voted Yea on this awful bill. How could they do that? Also, with Obama giving everyone the idea that he would veto both sections of the bill when he will only go after section 1032, and not 1031.

Also, the way this bill in Senate passed is very sneaky. Now it is in the house being reviewed by a House committee who is resolving the differences of the S.1867 to the H.R. 1540 (their version of the Budget Defense bill that they passed back in May with 322 yeas to 96 nays). This is really rotten that they are just combining these two bills together. The H.R. 1540 passed without the Senate's amendments back in May. So this 2/3 the vote in both Senate and House that can override a presidential veto is not fair if they decide to do this. However, I don't trust President Obama. Here is a letter from the White House on this bill. http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/legislative/sap/112/saps1867s_20111117.pdf It doesn't show true concern about the constitutional rights of the American people being taking way.

Anyway, I don't want to go on and on, but this is very alarming. I wish that OWS takes this up because they will be greatly affected by this bill if it becomes law. Not too mention other movements as well.

Once again thank you for your post.

[-] 2 points by debbierl (72) from Adams, MA 12 years ago

Thank you for working to get the word out and sound the alarm. Just as alarming as the action of the Congress and the Obama administration is the inability of Occupy to identify this legislation for targeted protest. Indefinite detention of American citizens without charges or trial based solely on the government's own and loose definition of 'terrorism'. Recent history shows the government will target those who truly challenge its power structure with this law and Occupy is operating as the current center of this challenge. Where is the outcry? Where is the red alert emergency action at the front page of this and every Occupy forum, community, and social networking site across the web? I don't get it.

[-] 1 points by Windsofchange (1044) 12 years ago

I truly understand how you feel because I feel that way myself. Where is the outrage of this? I see this as a far more important issue than any other right now. If our constitutional rights go (and they will once this bill passes), well as they say in Chess--Checkmate!

[-] 2 points by debbierl (72) from Adams, MA 12 years ago

I don't think people really are aware that this is going on. Disturbing however that the site administrators of Occupy fail to comprehend the need to push the information. It is clear that we will have to go down much farther before the masses truly understand how this two sided coin/one party government really operates. People think they have some type of representation with the dems and Obama. This election year is going to be dangerous as they push the envelope to strip our rights while the circus freak show plays out. It's disgusting. And, at this point, pretty damn obvious.

[-] 1 points by Windsofchange (1044) 12 years ago

This bill is an obvious threat to our liberties. If people don't think so they need to see what can be done under the Patriot Act (which completely robs us of our 4th amendment right). Under the Patriot Act, your home can be searched without a search warrant and in secret while you are not home. You could be arrested under this act and you cannot talk to anyone about your arrest--not even your lawyer or your family. If you are caught doing so, you could spend up to five years in prison. Here is more info about this. http://www.aclu.org/national-security/surveillance-under-usa-patriot-act

I feel that I needed to address this because there are too many naysayers on this forum. Saying that anyone who thinks that the two sections of S.1867 pertains to U.S. citizens hasn't read the bill. I have pointed out to them time and time again it absolutely does pertain to U.S. Citizens. The Patriot Act was a precursor to this bill. If they are doing the things I mentioned above, you better believe that they will be using the S. 1867 to deal with whoever they feel is a "threat" in their eyes.

I have had it with both political parties. Most if not all our politicians are bought and paid for. It is at the point where they don't have to hide the fact anymore. The corruption is off the charts. It is a shame that our once beautiful country has come to this.

[-] 1 points by SayNO2GovInc (99) 12 years ago

OCCUPY MUST ACT! We know OWS is not a terror threat, but police said OCCUPY is in the same class as al-qaeda!
see video- "Occupy Suspects: Police brand campers a terror threat" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j1C0roFm9o&feature=player_embedded#!

The House and Senate have reconciled NDAA and odds are Obama WILL sign it... he requested the Senate remove the language that excluded citizens!!! watch the video http://saynotocorporateamerica.blogspot.com/2011/12/proof-obama-will-sign-ndaa-1031-citizen.html

[-] 1 points by SayNO2GovInc (99) 12 years ago

UPDATE - 12/12/11- RE NDAA "United For Peace and Justice has sent an URGENT CALL saying the Senate and House versions of the bill were reconciled this weekend, with a final version expected either today or tomorrow. Once complete, the House and Senate will be asked to vote on it very quickly. There is no time to waste! Let your Senators and Representatives know that you are opposed to the 2012 Defense Authorization bill because it imperils civil liberties, continues an endless war in Afghanistan and elsewhere, wastes billions of dollars that 99% of Americans need for a more secure life here at home. " 'Obama strips Americans' rights in NDAA bill, proclaims human rights week' http://www.examiner.com/human-rights-in-national/obama-required-americans-no-rights-ndaa-bill-proclaimed-human-rights-week

The Senate came up with and passed a "compromised amendment" that some say will protect due process; I do not agree. The compromised amendment says [2012] NDAA should not be construed to affect 'existing law' relating to the detention of United States citizens.
So here's the problem. Lower courts are conflicting and SCOTUS hasn't ruled on the issue as in the case of Jose Padilla (see Rumsfeld v. Padilla). Jose Padilla, a US citizen that was captured INSIDE the US and was held in MILITARY prison for years, without charge, after George W Bush declared him an 'enemy combatant'. The Supreme Court of the United States took the case of Rumsfeld v. Padilla to decide the question of whether Congress's Authorization for Use of Military Force authorized the President to detain a U.S. citizen, but SCOTUS never ruled on the issue, they just said the case was improperly filed. There is also the 1940s case where a US citizen was prosecuted by the military and executed; SCOTUS said it was legitimate. So recent actions or existing law doesn't look so good. Liberty, whether it's the SCOTUS-approved-military-killing-of-citizen or the conflicting lower court cases.. MORE HERE-- http://saynotocorporateamerica.blogspot.com/2011/12/proof-obama-will-sign-ndaa-1031-citizen.html
++++++ Tell Congress: Say NO to Indefinite Detention and Endless Worldwide War https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3895&s_sbsrc=111205_AdvocacyNDAA_fixNDAAredirect +++++ CALL, WRITE, OCCUPY and Stand up for the Constitution and the Bill of Rights of the American people! PETITION- "IMPEACH every single Senator who voted FOR the McCain/Levin "U.S. is a Battlefield" bill that gives the military the right to go to the houses of U.S. citizens and take them without charges or rights to a lawyer or trial for the rest of their lives! The Senators COMMITTED TREASON directly against the United States citizens!" IMPEACH All the Senators who Voted For Military Detainment of U.S. Citizens! - The Petition Site http://www.thepetitionsite.com/892/petition-to-impeach-all-senators-who-voted-for-us-is-a-battlefield-and-to-detain-us-citizens-without/

    STOP TREASON NOW!!!
[-] 1 points by ropeknot (359) 12 years ago

I thought it had to go through the house and the president first before it is law?

[-] 1 points by Frizolio (80) 12 years ago

They are passing this through along with whitewashing Fast and Furious because they have this wonderful diversion called OCCUPY. The government and powers that be consider the Occupy movement useful idiots.

[-] 2 points by debbierl (72) from Adams, MA 12 years ago

Give Occupy a break. I see people coming up with great ideas to challenge the power structure, but this has only been going on for about three months and people are just starting to get their local organizations in place and communities organized. I have seen tremendous work by my local Occupy groups. It is the opportunity to AWAKEN the populace to how the entire political system operates. Took eight years for many on the right to repudiate Bush, and unfortunately, it seems to be taking a long time for Obama supporters to hold him to the same account as they would a politician with an R after their name. Many won't hear a word against him or the Congressional dems, and they will flat accuse you of lying no matter how credible the source of the information presented. It was incredibly naive of me to believe that the sheep metaphor was reserved for Republicans!

[-] 1 points by Frizolio (80) 12 years ago

I do agree with you. I see no difference in Democrat or Republican parties anymore. Bush sucked and Obama sucks more. Obama has embraced all that Bush stood for and people just don't want to see that.

[-] 1 points by debbierl (72) from Adams, MA 12 years ago

Worse, they will actively defend and argue to advance policy and legislation that would be universally decried under Bush. Just yesterday, my friend was arguing with a college professor about the the above legislation and he completely gave traditional Republican talking points to justify its implementation. I was flabbergasted.

[-] 0 points by fjolsvit (957) from Washington, DC 12 years ago

The 9/11 False Flag is the foundation of the encroaching tyranny. When is OWS going to figure this out collectively? Expose 9/11 and the rest melts away.

[-] 0 points by ChristopherABrownART5 (46) from Santa Barbara, CA 12 years ago

-Article 5 convention NOW!- My message to congressperson and senator.


Indefinite detention and SOPA are treasonous. End them. Usurpation of Due Process and the 5th, 6th, and 14th Amendments and abridgment of the 1st amendment.

Violation of oaths of office.