From Dateline (February 5, 2003)

Patriot Act Town Hall Set

The USA Patriot Act, a policy that increases government’s authority to collect information on Americans and foreign visitors, will be discussed at a 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, town hall in Portola Pavilion of the Titan Student Union.

“Maintaining the Balance – A Closer Look at the USA Patriot Act: Protecting National Security With Civil Liberties” is the inaugural topic of the Issues That Divide series. Cal State Fullerton’s Center for Community Dialogue, Center for Public Policy and College of Communications join the Orange County Human Relations Com-mission in sponsoring the town hall.

“Recent polls indicate that Americans appear to be deeply divided about a wide range of both domestic and foreign policy issues,” said Robert A. Emry, emeritus professor of speech communication and co-director of the Center for Community Dialogue. “Some of the division is captured in citizens’ reactions to the Patriot Act.”

Michelle Gile of KCBS and KCAL television will serve as panel moderator. Sabi H. Shabtai, an international expert on terrorism, will deliver the keynote address, “Civil Rights and National Security: Walking a Fine Line.”

Panelists are Gordon Bakken, professor of history; Luis Flores of the FBI; Terry Francke of California First Amendment Coalition; and Stephen Rohde, constitutional rights attorney.

For additional information, call 278-4854, or go to www.fullerton.edu/townhall.