A civil rights resolution under consideration today by the Lewis and Clark County Commission takes aim at the federal Patriot Act.

It's important to get Montana communities on record saying they support the freedoms and protections spelled out in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, said Helena resident Wayne Lewis. A few have done so, including Bozeman and Missoula.

With little advance billing, the commission will consider "A Resolution on Civil Rights" at 9 a.m. today in the City-County Building, Room 326.

The one-page measure doesn't specifically oppose the Patriot Act. It states that the commission supports programs to prevent future terrorist violence, but "does not think it necessary or desirable that such programs should diminish civil rights." And the commission supports U.S. troops and "reaffirms allegiance to civil liberties," according to the resolution.

Lewis said he worked with Commissioner Ed Tinsley to get the resolution on the commission's agenda.

Tinsley said the resolution isn't a partisan slap and doesn't advocate civil disobedience. He's bound to uphold the law, he said, but doesn't agree with many of the Patriot Act's provisions.

"I don't think it ever hurts for the commission to reaffirm its commitment to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and basic human liberties," Tinsley said. "It (the Patriot Act) is inconsistent with our values."

County Administrator Ron Alles said he softened the language to better reflect the county's reach. For example, the commission can't tell the Sheriff's Department what to do.

"We have to stay within our authorities and jurisdiction," Alles said.

The Patriot Act, drawn up after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, is up for reapproval and expansion before it expires next year. The original legislation expands police investigative and surveillence powers. It also addresses money laundering, border security, immigration and condemns discrimination against Arab- and Muslim-Americans. President George W. Bush is pressing Congress to renew the legislation.

But the act has drawn criticism from both sides of the political spectrum.

Groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and the Bill of Rights Defense Committee offer sample resolutions of opposition to local communities. The Lewis and Clark County resolution is simpler than those suggestions.

But the issue has heated up city and county proceedings across Montana.

Last week, the Whitefish City Council debated a similar resolution for three hours.

Bozeman and Dillon OK'd measures last year that outright oppose the Patriot Act. Beaverhead County has taken a similar action.

The Lewis and Clark County measure closely mimics one passed by the Missoula City Council last year.

Helena City Manager Tim Burton said a citizen asked about a similar resolution last year, but no official action was taken.

Lewis, who has referred to himself as a public housing advocate, also protested recent Helena Housing Authority rule changes, saying the changes amounted to an erosion of personal rights.

He said the U.S. government has a history of passing sedition and espionage acts that erode freedoms, while doing nothing to enhance security.

"(The Patriot Act) is a major attack on our civil liberties," Lewis said. "This (resolution) is spreading the word on how we feel."

Reporter Jason Mohr can be reached at 447-4075 or jason.mohr@helenair.com.