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With no hearing or notice, the Patriot Act's Section 806 lets authorities confiscate or freeze foreign and domestic assets of any individual, entity, or organization accused of engaging in, planning, supporting, concealing, or perpetrating acts called domestic or international terrorism against America. Even nonviolent protests are affected.
Other harsh provisions give authorities wide latitude to twist the law perversely and advantageously. As a result, anyone associated with activities called terrorism may be targeted, whether or not true.
Unprecedented in scope, sweeping executive powers were granted. Meaningful judicial and congressional oversight are absent.
In March 2006, Congress renewed most Patriot Act powers. On May 19, 2011, three key provisions were extended another four years. They include:
(1) Allowing unlimited roving wiretaps.
(2) Authorizing government access to "any tangible item," including financial records and transactions, student and medical records, phone conversations, emails, other Internet use, and whatever else is surveilled.
(3) Permitting alleged suspect organizations and individuals surveilled, whether or not evidence links them to terrorism or complicity to commit it.
Provisions of the 2006 Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act can also target OWS and other protesters. Designed primarily against animal rights activists, it applies to other advocacy, protest activity, and all forms of civil disobedience.
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