Civil Liberties Post 9/11 Throughout this country's history, the phrase "national security" has often been used as a pretext for massive violations of individual rights. In the name of national security, President Wilson authorized the round-up and deportation of thousands of foreign-born suspected "radicals" during the Palmer Raids; and President Franklin Roosevelt interned 120,000 Japanese Americans. The Cold War era brought loyalty oaths, blacklisting and travel restrictions. None of these measures were actually necessary to preserve national security; all of them violated civil liberties. Most recently, the terrorist attacks on September 11 mobilized much of our country in the fight against terrorism. However, this wave of "anti-terrorist" activity, all in the name of national security, also launched one of the most serious civil liberties crises our nation has ever seen. An immutable characteristic of our nation is freedom. If we allow the interests of "national security" to take away our freedoms, we surrender what it is to be an American. Publications:   1  Mass Impact: The domestic war on terrorism in Massachusetts   2  Civil Liberties Update:  A monthly summary of Post-9/11 News   3  Patriot Act: Rhetoric v. Reality   4  Patriot Act: Reauthorization Briefing Paper   5  Patriot Act: Talking Points   6  Patriot Act: Issues on Campus   7  Patriot Act: The Effect on Students   8  MBTA Searches: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.   9  Immigrants & The MBTA: English or Spanish  10 Bust Cards: What to do if you're stopped by the police