"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence."
-Sixth Amendment to the US Constitution
-Sixth Amendment to the US Constitution
Recent proposals by the government have put the 6th Amendment at grave risk! The inherent rights of this amendment include the following:
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Right to a speedy and public trial (prevents secret trials)
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Right to impartial juries (allows us to be tried by our peers)
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Right to confront witnesses (to prevent heresay evidence)
The Bush administration wants the power to do the following to US citizens:
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Put people on trial in military, not public courts
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Keep evidence from defendents, while providing it to prosecutors
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Allow the admisison of coerced evidence
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Take away the right to confront accusers
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Remove the defendant's right to be present at trials
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Eliminate the right to a speedy and public trial
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Give the Secretary of Defense personal power to determine who would be tried in such a manner
The formal position of The Populist Party: Any government official, senator, representative, etc., who would approve the forceable removal of guaranteed 6th amendment rights is committing an act of treason!
Stay tuned in to news and commentary regarding this dangerous move and more:
