*********************************

DEFENDING PRIVACY: NEW ACLU WEBSITE TAKES ON TIPS

The ACLU has launched a new website to monitor and defeat President Bush's proposed spy program, Operation TIPS. As the site launched, news broke that the Justice Department is referring calls from the public with tips to America's Most Wanted, the controversial television program.

Visit the "TIPS Watch" website and Take Action today: http://forms.aclu.org/L/www.aclu.org/tips.cfm?MX=422&H=0

Operation TIPS (Terrorist Information and Prevention System) would recruit one million volunteers whose jobs allow them access to private residences -- like meter readers and cable technicians -- to spy on their neighbors and report any "suspicious" activity to the Justice Department.

TIPS is a massive invasion of personal privacy. It would not only allow peoples' homes to be searched without cause or warrants, but it would also turn neighbor against neighbor.

In a news release reacting to the news about America's Most Wanted, which broke in a story published by Salon.com, the ACLU said the government's move was like "retaining Arthur Andersen to do all of the SEC's accounting."

"It is a completely inappropriate and frightening intermingling of government power and the private sector," said Rachel King, an ACLU Legislative Counsel. "What's next -- the government hires Candid Camera to do its video surveillance?"

The ACLU is leading the fight against TIPS. Our TIPS Watch website offers visitors like you the opportunity to send a message to your senators voicing your opposition to the TIPS spy program and defending your privacy rights.

You can also learn more about the dangers of this program, spread the word to your friends about TIPS Watch and download your FREE Emergency Privacy Toolkit, which includes:

-- Downloadable "Special Requests of My Utility Company" forms that ask your utility companies to pledge to you that they will not participate in the TIPS program. You can include one of these messages in each of your next utility payments.

-- A printable door-hanger that says, "This Home's Privacy is Protected by the ACLU." By posting your door-hanger, you will send the message you will not have your home and your privacy invaded.

Help stop the government from turning neighbor against neighbor today. Visit the "TIPS Watch" website to take action and download your FREE Emergency Privacy Toolkit:

http://forms.aclu.org/L/www.aclu.org/tips.cfm?MX=422&H=0

*********************************