Politics

Groups File Challenge to Patriot Act

LOS ANGELES - A coalition of legal groups and backers of Sri Lanka's Tamil community have filed a challenge to a section of the USA Patriot Act that makes it illegal to provide "expert advice and assistance" to groups with alleged links to terrorists. The five organizations and two individuals are seeking an injunction to prevent the government from enforcing the section, arguing it violates constitutional rights of free speech and against self-incrimination. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in federal court, names U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and Secretary of State Colin Powell as defendants. Posted by Editor at August 29, 2003 06:44 AM