On March 15th, numerous Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) authorities— including Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act — are up for reauthorization.

Under these provisions, the government can engage in warrantless, mass surveillance of innocent people. In 2018, for example, the government collected 434 million records related to 19 million phone numbers — despite listing just 11 targets.

These records provide insight into our most intimate activities, and the vast majority of people affected by it are in no way suspected of wrongdoing. These tools are especially likely to impact communities of color and immigrants.

Despite these gross invasions, in December Congress passed a continuing resolution authorizing an extension of controversial provisions of the PATRIOT Act — including Section 215.

Congress has had over four years to make major reforms to the PATRIOT Act. And come March 15th, if no reauthorization is passed, provisions of the PATRIOT Act would expire, partially reverting the U.S. back to a pre-9/11 surveillance policy.

Reforming the PATRIOT Act is a critical priority! Extending these authorities for any period of time absent major reform reflects an abandonment of Congress’s most basic responsibilities.

We refuse to live in a police state under the PATRIOT Act.