For Immediate Release Monday, December 8, 2008
The following resolution was passed by the Libertarian National Committee on Dec. 7, 2008 at its quarterly board meeting:
RESOLUTION CONDEMNING DOMESTIC DEPLOYMENT OF THE U.S. MILITARY
WHEREAS , the domestic deployment of 20,000 uniformed military personnel planned by the United States government undermines the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which forbids the use of the military for domestic policing; and,
WHEREAS , such a deployment is an alarming example of the increasing militarization of our society; and,
WHEREAS , the increasing use of active duty military personnel, has led, and will lead, to the abuse of American civil liberties, such as violations of the Fourth Amendment; and,
WHEREAS , a state’s National Guard – not active duty members of Army combat units – is the appropriate authority to handle local emergencies and disasters should they arise; and,
WHEREAS , the use of the 3rd Infantry Division 1st Brigade Combat Team during a time of war puts further tension on an already strained U.S. military.
THEREFORE , be it resolved, the Libertarian National Committee and its undersigned members hereby condemn the plans of the federal government to deploy 20,000 active duty members of the U.S. military to serve, for
whatever reason, domestically in the United States. Furthermore, the Libertarian National Committee calls for the immediate abandonment of these plans, and instead suggests that should an emergency response team comprised of members other than local emergency responders (fire, police, HAZMAT) be developed and trained, it consist of members of the National Guard – not active duty personnel of the United States military.The Libertarian National Committee calls for the citizens of the United States to oppose this militarization of our society, and its encroachment on American civil liberties, to their local, state and federal
representatives.
