Loyal Nine covered in Muhlenberg Advocate

September 11, 2001, was a day that changed the United States forever. Many people, including the members of national government, were hit hard with fear. Precautions were taken to prevent domestic terrorism, and one of the most effective precautions came in the form of the USA Patriot Act, which many people in the United States know nothing about. To inform the public about the ramifications of the USA Patriot Act, a group of politically-active friends from Huntington, New York formed The Loyal Nine, an organization dedicated to informing the public and speaking out against the USA Patriot Act.

The Loyal Nine got its name from a group of artisans and shopkeepers opposed to the Stamp Act in 1765. This group later changed its name to The Sons of Liberty and literally was composed of the forefathers of our nation. theloyalnine.com, the group’s official website explains the meaning of The Loyal Nine today:

“In 2003, this name has taken on new meaning in the fight against the Patriot Act. Re-starting in Huntington, New York, The Loyal Nine is quickly spreading throughout the east coast and soon, hopefully, the entire nation. The Loyal Nine holds no political affiliation whatsoever. It is neither conservative nor liberal; there is no ideology other than preserving our freedoms. Over 200 years ago The Loyal Nine defeated the Stamp Act, now it is the Patriot Act’s turn.”

The Patriot Act was proposed under the full title, “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism,” The Loyal Nine wants the public to know that under this manipulative title loom regulations which directly contradict The Bill of Rights- the one document that freedom and liberty in The United States is based on. By explaining the background information of The USA Patriot Act, The Loyal Nine hope that people will understand how the bill may affect them.

The USA Patriot Act is a 342-page document and was passed on October 26, 2001, 45 days after the September 11 attacks. Members of Congress had two nights to read this incredibly long document before it was signed into action. Among the many practices the bill allows are wiretapping, secret searches, internet and phone surveillance, and access to highly personal medical and student records. The violation of rights allowed by the bill is astounding. Cara Ochsenreiter, a Muhlenberg student and one of the founding members of The Loyal Nine, says, “We started the Loyal Nine because we were concerned about the protection of our basic civil rights and liberties, especially at a time when we feel the government is not being completely open and honest with us and is not necessarily looking out for the interest of all the common people.”

Ochsenreiter hopes that the Muhlenberg community will be as interested in the USA Patriot Act as the people from her hometown are. She is starting a chapter of the group on campus, as are the rest of the original Loyal Nine members at their respective college campuses. For her part, Ochsenreiter is planning protests in the city of Allentown to inform local citizens of what consequences they may suffer under the bill. Ochsenreiter also plans to set up information tables in Seegers Union to draw more activism from interested Muhlenberg students, and she will start letter writing campaigns to Congressmen to show that the people of the United States do not feel protected under the USA Patriot Act, but rather threatened. A protest in Allentown is being planned for October 24.

Brittany Ober

October.14.2003

Muhlenberg Advocate

Origional Link: http://www.muhlenbergadvocate.com/archives/v4i3/articles/F-Ober-Loyal9.htm