Minnesota Democrats Joined Republicans in Signing Away Civil Liberties

St. Paul, MN – August 15, 2007 – The Minnesota Green Party is calling the bi-partisan passage of a bill legalizing the Bush Administration's spying on Americans "a major setback for civil liberties and privacy rights." Three of Minnesota’s Democratic lawmakers joined Republicans to help push the measure through Congress before the August recess.

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representatives Collin Peterson and Timothy Walz joined Republican lawmakers to help pass the so-called "Protect America Act," which legalizes for six months the wiretapping of American citizens' international telephone calls and emails, without warrants or oversight.

"The American people voted against the Republicans in hopes that a Democratic majority would bring some rationality to our foreign policy and restore our civil liberties," says Minnesota Green Party Spokesperson Rhoda Gilman. "Instead, the Democrats are helping the Republicans hand over our freedoms to the Bush administration."

Gilman says it's one more example of the two big parties looking increasingly alike. "On the war in Iraq, the so-called 'War on Terrorism,' and more, the Democrats and Republicans are straying farther and farther from the expressed will of the American people."

"The Green Party aligns with the values of a majority of Minnesotans. As citizens see their votes wasted on parties that promise change but offer more of the same, they'll be looking for an alternative that represents their values and refuses to buckle under political pressure."