Resolution to Nullify NDAA Indefinite Detention Passes in League City, Texas

By a vote of 7-1, the City Council of League City, Texas rejected NDAA indefinite detention and instructed all public agencies to refuse compliance with the unconstitutional federal act.

The resolution was sponsored by Council Member Heidi Theiss, who announced the result on her Facebook page on Tuesday night. “Many thanks to my fellow Council members who continue to stand for our Constitutional rights!

The resolution denounces the indefinite detention powers signed into law at the end of 2011, and subsequently defended in court by the Obama Administration as violations of the US and Texas Constitution. It reads, in part:

WHEREAS, the members of this City Council have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the State of Texas; and

WHEREAS, Sections 1021 and 1022 of the 2012 NDAA as they purport to authorize, 1) detainment of persons captured within the United States of America without charge or trial, 2) military tribunals for persons captured within the United States of America, and 3) the transfer of persons captured within the United States of America to foreign jurisdictions, are repugnant to the ‘general, great and essential principles of liberty and free government’ enshrined in Article 1 of the Texas Constitution: and

The key clause of the resolution is the one calling for full noncompliance with the federal government:

Instruct all our public agencies to decline requests by federal agencies acting under detention powers granted by the NDAA that could infringe upon residents’ freedom of speech, religion, assembly, privacy, or rights to counsel

As Judge Andrew Napolitano has said recently, such widespread noncompliance can make a federal law “nearly impossible to enforce” (video here)

With this vote, League City becomes the 21st local community to pass a resolution against the indefinite detention provisions of the NDAA.

With this vote, San Francisco becomes the 18th (and by far the largest community) so far to pass a resolution against the indefinite detention provisions of the NDAA.

AUSTIN

On a similar principle, a bill has been introduced into the Texas State House, which would declare NDAA indefinite detention to be unconstitutional and would also criminalize any attempt to use such detention powers within the State of Texas.

Michael Boldin, Tenth Amendment Center executive director, noted that such local resolutions as passed in League City this week  – and previously in San Francisco, CA and Las Vegas, NV – help build a coalition in support of the binding legislation in the state house.

“This is a big step forward. Since this country was founded on the principle that “we the people” are supposed to be in charge, it makes sense that the most effective activism would start out on a local level. I congratulate all those who worked hard to get this resolution passed in League City. I hope that coalition will stay strong and support House Bill 149 which is now live in Austin.  If Texas can do the impossible, and nullify “indefinite detention,” which is nothing more than government kidnapping, we can stop this criminal act dead in its tracks.”

ACTION ITEMS for Texas

HB149 just had a hearing in the Texas State House Federalism and Fiscal Responsibility Committee.  It will need a vote in that committee, then another in the Calendars committee before moving to the full House for debate and vote.  Your action is needed right NOW to help move this bill forward.

1. Contact  the committee chair of Federalism and Fiscal Responsibility  Call and politely let Representative Creighton know that you’d a YES vote on HB149.

Brandon Creighton (512) 463-0726

2. Contact all the other members of the committee. Strongly, but respectfully let each of them know that you expect a YES on HB149.

Cindy Burkett (512) 463-0464
Eddie Lucio III (512) 463-0606
Scott Turner (512) 463-0484
Armando Walle (512) 463-0924

3.  Encourage your local community to take action as well.  Present the Liberty Preservation Act to your city county, your town council, or your county commissioners.  Various local governments around the country are already passing similar resolutions and ordinances.  Local legislative action present a great way to strengthen a statewide campaign against NDAA indefinite detention

model legislation here:
http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/ndaa

4. Join the NDAA activist group on Facebook. Connect with others, plan strategy, build a coalition, and help get HB149 passed!

http://www.facebook.com/groups/nullifyndaatexas/

5.  Share this information widely.  Please pass this along to your friends and family.  Also share it with any and all grassroots groups you’re in contact with around the state.  Please encourage them to email this information to their members and supporters.