June 4, 2002

Dear Chairman Leahy and Senator Hatch, Chairman Sensenbrenner and Representative Conyers,

We write to you on behalf of a broad range of organizations across

the country about the proposal of the Attorney General to loosen the guidelines that restrict the surveillance of religious and political organizations in the United States.

This proposal raises matters of Constitutional authority that require immediate Congressional attention. We do not believe that the Attorney General has the legal authority to pursue domestic spying. [HOUSE - We urge you to conduct oversight hearings on this proposal.] [SENATE - Your hearing this week provides a critical opportunity to assess the impact of the AG's new guidelines.]

We are particularly concerned about elements of the guidelines that appear to give the FBI the authority to search through electronic databases without satisfying any legal standard or requiring any judicial review. Such an approach to police authority in the United

States is directly contrary to the First and Fourth Amendment and the system of checks and balances established by our form of government.

We are also concerned that the changes authorize unchecked surveillance of lawful religious and political activity, in violation of the First Amendment and that such surveillance will be targeted against Arab-Americans, Muslim and immigrants among others.

[HOUSE -We urge you to convene a public hearing with the Attorney

General so that the following issues may be addressed:] [SENATE - We

urge you to consider the following issues at your hearing this week:]

- What are the changes proposed by the Department of Justice and     specifically how will they impact the First Amendment freedoms of political and religious organizations in the United States?

- What is the legal basis for the Attorney General's proposal and how does this proposal compare with his current authority?

- What means of Congressional oversight will be created to prevent abuse and what means of public reporting will there be to ensure that the public is fully informed about these activities be established?

- For what period of time does the Attorney General     anticipate the FBI will operate with this authority?

We would be pleased to work with you and your staff on this

important matter.

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SIGN-ONS [through June 2, 2002]

Marc Rotenberg

Executive Director

Electronic Privacy Information Center

Kareem Shora

Legal Advisor

American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)

Marv Johnson

Legilative Counsel

American Civil Liberties Union

Majed Jafari

Director, Government Relations

Arab American Institute

Margaret Fung

Executive Director

Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund

Jane M. Orient

Executive Director

Association of American Physicians & Surgeons

Kent Pollock

Executive Director

California First Amendment Coalition

James X.Dempsey

Deputy Director

Center for Democracy and Technology

Jeff Chester

Executive Director

Center for Digital Democracy

Kate Martin

Director

Center for National Security Studies

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney

Christian Defense Coalition

Ken McEldowney

Executive Director

Consumer Action

Jason Erb

Director, Governmental Relations

Council on American-Islamic Relations

Lee Tien

Senior Staff Attorney

Electronic Frontier Foundation

Steven Aftergood

Project Director

Federation of American Scientists

Florence C. Kimball

Legislative Education Secretary

Friends Committee on National Legislation

David J. Theroux

Founder and President

The Independent Institute

Elisa Massimino

Director, Washington office

Lawyers Committee for Human Rights

James Landrith

Editor & Publisher

The Multiracial Activist

Beth Givens

Executive Director

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse