Citizens Assembly for Oklahoma Sovereignty Press Release

For Immediate Release

Citizens to Assemble in Support of Bipartisan Legislative Efforts to Protect Oklahomans from the Federal Collection, Sharing and Control of Personal Data.

Oklahoma City, OK – A non-partisan “Citizens Assembly for Oklahoma Sovereignty” will be held on Saturday, January 3rd, 2009 in support of upcoming legislation that will protect Oklahomans privacy and prevent the further collection and sharing of sensitive personal data.

Sponsored by the national group The Constitutional Alliance, OK-SAFE, and R3publicans, the evening meeting will feature special guest speakers Senator Constance Johnson and Representative Charles Key.

The discussion topics will include Oklahoma’s Tenth Amendment Resolution, which asserts and protects state’s rights; the collection of sensitive personal data, including biometric samples and data; and the global sharing of citizen’s personal information.

Also discussed will be the federal legislation known as the REAL ID Act of 2005, which, for the first time in our country’s history, standardized the requirements for state driver’s licenses and identification cards. The controversial, and unfunded, federal law included requirements to collect personal biometric data on citizens, participation in a growing national/international database of personal data, and allowed for the global information sharing of data.

States which were non-compliant with the federal REAL ID mandates were threatened with prohibiting those citizens without the new biometric driver’s licenses or identification cards access to government buildings or being allowed to board a federally regulated airplane.

Oklahomans overwhelmingly rejected participation in the REAL ID Act of 2005 with the passage of SB 464 in 2007, passed by both houses.

The bill, signed into law in May 2007 by Democrat Governor Brad Henry, clearly stated Oklahoma’s non-participation in the REAL ID Act, however, in early 2008 the Governor wrote a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff asking for an extension to comply with REAL ID mandates.

The Constitutional Alliance has been helping legislators, officials and citizens groups across the country to understand the inherent dangers of biometric data collection and has helped to develop model legislation strengthening a citizen’s right to privacy and identity protection. The Alliance and other conservative groups recognize that Oklahoma, considered the most conservative state in the union, will be looked to as a leader in protecting the rights and freedoms of its’ citizens.

Nationally known biometric expert, Mark Lerner, who has travelled the U.S. extensively educating legislators and citizens’ groups on the dangers of biometric data collection, will be present. Donations will be accepted to help fund travel expenses for Mr. Lerner.

The “Citizens Assembly for Oklahoma Sovereignty” will be held at the Character First Training Center, 520 W. Main, Oklahoma City on Saturday, January 3rd, 2009. The meeting begins at 7:00 pm.