PHOENIX (April 24, 2012) – Just a week after the Virginia legislature approved a law to refuse compliance with NDAA “indefinite detentions,” an Arizona law committing the Grand Canyon State to noncompliance with any attempted federal kidnapping under the NDAA now stands just a signature away from implementation.
After months of political wrangling, the Arizona Senate concurred with the House on an amended version of SB1182 today, sending the legislation to Governor Jan Brewer’s desk for a signature.
The Senate passed the bill 20-8 with two senators not voting.
SB1182 asserts:
This state and any agency of this state shall not provide material support or participate in any way with the implementation of sections 1021 and 1022 of the national defense authorization act of 2012, Public Law 112‑81, against any citizen of the United States.
The law would also make it a criminal offense for any public officer, employee or agent of the state to make any attempt to assist in federal kidnapping.
The bill faced its share of high hurdles over the past two months, including an attempt to kill it in committee and numerous politically motivated delays in getting it to the full House for a vote. Each time, public pressure kept SB1182 alive.
But one major obstacle remains: Gov. Brewer’s veto pen. The governor recently shot down a sheriffs first bill, and sources in Arizona tell the Tenth Amendment Center she may well veto SB1182. While Brewer talks the talk when it comes to state sovereignty and forged a reputation as tough gal when she wagged her finger in Pres. Obama’s face, her actions don’t always measure up to her image. Brewer remains firmly entrenched in the Arizona Republican establishment, where Sen. John McCain wields tremendous influence in the state party. He will undoubtedly oppose any efforts in his home state to block his pet legislation. Keep in mind, McCain was a chief proponent of the NDAA.
During debate on the Senate floor, Sen. Rand Paul (R. Ky.) asked McCain, “Would it be possible that an American citizen can then be declared an enemy combatant and sent to Guantanamo Bay and detained indefinitely?”
McCain responded, “As long as that individual, no matter who they are, poses a threat to the security of the United States of America, should not be allowed to continue that threat.”
This bill certainly counts as the most important legislation to cross Gov. Brewer’s desk this year – perhaps ever. We cannot allow the federal government to possess the power to drag people off and hold them until the end of an endless war without basic due process. In the 1850s, northern states passed liberty laws protecting the rights of blacks accused of running away from slavery. These laws rendered the draconian and unconstitutional fugitive slave acts difficult, if not impossible, to enforce. Today, Arizona lawmakers stood shoulder to shoulder with those men and women who stood up for the liberty of black Americans more than 150 years ago.
We cannot leave the final step for this bill to chance. Without strong, vigorous, emphatic public pressure, Brewer will almost certainly veto this bill.
Don’t let that happen!
ACTION ITEM FOR ARIZONA
If you live in Arizona, contact Gov. Brewer now. Politely, but firmly, ask her to sign SB1182. Remind her that she has a duty to protect and defend the Constitution and an obligation to the people of Arizona. Tell her that the language in sections 1021 and 1022 of the NDAA is too vague and undefined to leave to chance. The federal government simply cannot be allowed to possess even a hint of such power.
You can find contact information for the governor’s office HERE.
ACTION ITEMS FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY
If you do not live in Arizona, you should still contact Brewer and tell her the rest of the country is watching. Arizona has the opportunity to step up as a leader in protecting the most basic freedom and liberties that we cherish as Americans.
If your state, county or city has not taken steps to stop kidnapping under the NDAA, you can find model Liberty Preservation Act legislation that you can propose to your local politicians HERE.
To track NDAA nullification legislation across the U.S., click HERE.
