JURIST - Paper Chase: ACLU seeks removal of gag order on library in Patriot Act case

[JURIST] The American Civil Liberties Union [official website] argued Wednesday that a federal judge should lift a gag order on a library from which the FBI has demanded circulation records under the USA Patriot Act [PDF text; JURIST news archive]. Prosecutors in the case said lifting the gag order would release the library's identity and jeopardize an ongoing investigation. The ACLU and the library challenged the government's use of the Act to subpoena records [JURIST report] in a suit [PDF complaint] filed last week, but the judge in the case placed the parties under a gag order. The ACLU argued Wednesday that the gag order prevented its client from entering debate about the USA PATRIOT Act, as Congress considers whether to reauthorize the Act [JURIST report]. Federal District Judge Janet Hall said she would not rule on the motion until next week. AP has more. The ACLU has issued a press release on the litigation.

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