Contact: Chris Chesrown
Media Relations Manager
480-731-8503

For Immediate Release

Civil Liberty vs National Security - Focus of Public Event

PHOENIX -- On January 28, the Arizona Issues Forum will host its second public forum of the 2001-02 year, aimed at addressing issues facing the state of Arizona. "Liberty vs. Security- Must Citizens Compromise Personal Rights for National Safety?" is the topic for this town-hall event at the Phoenix Public Library (Burton Barr) in the Pulliam Auditorium, 1221 N. Central Ave., beginning at 11:30 a.m. Open to the public, the discussion will explore how the tragic events of September 11th have initiated government actions that may limit our civil liberties in the name of national security.

On September 11th, thousands of Americans and others suffered the most dramatic loss of liberty: the loss of their own lives. Now, we as Americans are forced to ask difficult questions such as: What are acceptable government actions to prevent future attacks? What personal sacrifices must citizens endure? Will surveillance stop at the airport or continue into our daily lives? Do military tribunals, as authorized by the Commander in Chief, violate rights as guaranteed by the constitution?

Keynote speaker scheduled to appear is Senator John McCain. Confirmed panelists are Eleanor Eisenberg, Executive Director of the Arizona Civil Liberties Union and Tom Liddy, 1st Amendment Attorney and son of G. Gordon Liddy. KPHO-TV 5 Anchors Cary Pfeffer, Diana Sullivan and Wayne Garcia will moderate.

"There's no debating that the tragic events of September 11th have forever changed our lives in many ways," notes Fred Gaskin, Chancellor of the Maricopa Community Colleges. "How we, as a society, choose to react to those events, could have an even greater impact on the way we live in the future and that's why discussions such as this public forum are so important."

"Our community is concerned by what has happened and what may come," began Cary Pfeffer, KPHO-TV 5 Anchor. "This forum provides the public a platform to voice concerns, ask pressing questions and to educate everyone how their civil liberties may be affected."

Arizona Issues Forum is a community partnership between the Maricopa Community Colleges Center for Civic Participation and KPHO-TV 5, to convene the community for thoughtful discussion of important policy issues. This event is co-sponsored by The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and the City of Phoenix.

This event is open to the public and includes a free box lunch. RSVP is requested by Friday, January 25 to (480) 517-8885 at the Maricopa Community Colleges Center for Civic Participation.

The Maricopa County Community College District is one of the largest community college districts in the nation. It includes 10 colleges - Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Estrella Mountain Community College, GateWay Community College, Glendale Community College, Mesa Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix College, Rio Salado College, Scottsdale Community College and South Mountain Community College. The District also includes the Maricopa Skill Center, Southwest Skill Center, several satellite campuses and business/industry, technical and customized training institutes and serves more than a quarter million students annually. For more information: 480-731-8000 or www.maricopa.edu

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March 13, 2002