Philly council passes anti-Patriot Act resolution

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia on Thursday became the largest city in the nation to pass a resolution condemning the USA Patriot Act, saying it "weakens, contradicts and undermines" constitutionally protected rights.

The nonbinding resolution, sponsored by outgoing Councilman Angel Ortiz and passed 13-3, urges the region's three congressmen and two senators to push for a repeal of the act entirely - or its provisions that "violate fundamental rights and liberties."

The vote made Philadelphia the 117th community to condemn the law, according to the Bill of Rights Defense Committee, a Massachusetts-based organization that provides a template for anti-Patriot Act resolutions on its Web site and tracks their passage.

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