EL CAJON — East County citizens on opposing sides of the political fence will join together to protest a law they consider unconstitutional and a violation of long established American rights of due process.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) signed by President Obama December 2011, has provisions which might be interpreted to allow the U.S. military to detain indefinitely American citizens who are apprehended in the U.S. without charges or trial.
The NDAA was passed almost unanimously in the U.S. Senate and Congress.
EL CAJON — East County citizens on opposing sides of the political fence will join together to protest a law they consider unconstitutional and a violation of long established American rights of due process.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) signed by President Obama December 2011, has provisions which might be interpreted to allow the U.S. military to detain indefinitely American citizens who are apprehended in the U.S. without charges or trial.
The NDAA was passed almost unanimously in the U.S. Senate and Congress.
Conservative Tea Party members, the Liberal Ramona Forum and others have organized a peaceful protest to take place at Rep. Congressman Duncan Hunter’s office at 1870 Cordell St. in El Cajon from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3. This is part of a nationwide revolt to the act.
“I have to say — this is a good example of a provision in law,” Hunter said, “this one intended to support the actions of the military overseas — that’s been misrepresented.
These groups are demanding the immediate resignation of Hunter on the basis that his vote on the act was a breach of his oath to support the U.S. Constitution and a breach of his duty to protect the interests of his constituents in the district and all Americans.
Terri Linnel, a Tea Party member, and an announced challenger to Hunter in the next primary election has made her voice heard in protest, “By voting for it, he broke his oath to uphold the constitution. They voted to allow this,” she said.
David Patterson, member of the Ramona Forum has called on all citizens to join in the peaceful demonstration.
“Party and ideology aside, it is now the time for all great men to come to the aid of their country,” he said. “Hunter and others need to be removed from office,” he added.
The group is also calling for Congress to undo the NDAA. Senator Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.), has introduced the Due Process Guarantee Act which is drafted to reverse the provisions of the NDAA by prohibiting the indefinite detention of American citizens.
For his part, Hunter did not discourage the protest, but did defend his vote on the measure.
“This does nothing to change the constitutional right of due process, nor does it give the military new authority to arrest U.S. citizens,” he said. “If that were the case, myself and most in Congress would not have let the bill go forward.
“Nothing has changed since the bill was signed into law — and it will stay that way.
“If there’s an appetite for protesting, there are lots of other things that should this group’s attention, whether it’s the infringement of rights through the mandate to buy health insurance or the President’s recess appointments, in clear violation of the Constitution. Or even the failed Fast and Furious Program.
“These are all worthy targets of a protest. The detainee provisions, regardless of what’s said to the contrary, are strictly aimed at operations overseas and don’t override law enforcement duties here.”