Resolves of the Executive Council

Resolved, That the Executive Council, while mindful of anxieties and genuine security needs generated by the events of 9/11, expresses its deepening concern and opposition to emerging policies and practices of our government that infringe upon the rights of immigrants who are members of certain religious and national groups; and be it further

Resolved, That Council opposes any further expansion or extension of the Patriot Act of 2001 which would further curtail the civil rights of ethnic and religious minorities thus threatening our nation’s revered and fundamental respect for civil liberties; and be it further

Resolved, That those Church ministries which serve and advocate on behalf of refugees and immigrants and other minorities work to oppose unfair and unjust treatment of racial and ethnic minorities, and that the whole Church at every level collaborate with other faith bodies, communions, and immigrant rights and human rights organizations to redress these concerns; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church use every means possible to express solidarity with members of the Islamic faith whose loyalty to the United States has been amply demonstrated by their participation in our society as law abiding residents; and be it further

Resolved, That Council share with the whole Church and appropriate members of government, including the President of the United States and the Attorney General, and members of the Islamic community, the text of this resolution as an indication of this Church's strong opposition to the restrictive measures now being invoked against certain immigrant groups without adhering to the constitutional safeguards that should be available to such persons.