Just days left to kill mass surveillance under Section 215 of the Patriot Act. We are Edward Snowden and the ACLU’s Jameel Jaffer. AUA.

Our fight to rein in the surveillance state got a shot in the arm on May 7 when a federal appeals court ruled the NSA’s mass call-tracking program, the first program to be revealed by Edward Snowden, to be illegal. A poll released by the ACLU this week shows that a majority of Americans from across the political spectrum are deeply concerned about government surveillance. Lawmakers need to respond.

The pressure is on Congress to do exactly that, because Section 215 of the Patriot Act is set to expire on June 1. Now is the time to tell our representatives that America wants its privacy back.

Senator Mitch McConnell has introduced a two-month extension of Section 215 – and the Senate has days left to vote on it. Urge Congress to let Section 215 die by:

Calling your senators: https://www.aclu.org/feature/end-government-mass-surveillance

Signing the petition: https://action.aclu.org/secure/section215

Getting the word out on social media: https://www.facebook.com/aclu.nationwide/photos/a.74134381812.86554.18982436812/10152748572081813/?type=1&permPage=1

Attending a sunset vigil to sunset the Patriot Act: https://www.endsurveillance.com/#protest

Proof that we are who we say we are:
Edward Snowden: https://imgur.com/HTucr2s
Jameel Jaffer, deputy legal director, ACLU: https://twitter.com/JameelJaffer/status/601432009190330368
ACLU: https://twitter.com/ACLU/status/601430160026562560

UPDATE 3:16pm EST: That's all folks! Thank you for all your questions.

From Ed: http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/36ru89/just_days_left_to_kill_mass_surveillance_under/crgnaq9

Thank you all so much for the questions. I wish we had time to get around to all of them. For the people asking "what can we do," the TL;DR is to call your senators for the next two days and tell them to reject any extension or authorization of 215. No matter how the law is changed, it'll be the first significant restriction on the Intelligence Community since the 1970s -- but only if you help.

UPDATE 5:11pm EST: Edward Snowden is back on again for more questions. Ask him anything!

UPDATE 6:01pm EST: Thanks for joining the bonus round!

From Ed: http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/36ru89/just_days_left_to_kill_mass_surveillance_under/crgt5q7

That's it for the bonus round. Thank you again for all of the questions, and seriously, if the idea that the government is keeping a running tab of the personal associations of everyone in the country based on your calling data, please call 1-920-END-4-215 and tell them "no exceptions," you are against any extension -- for any length of time -- of the unlawful Section 215 call records program. They've have two years to debate it and two court decisions declaring it illegal. It's time for reform.

Comments: 2197 • Responses: 7  • Date: 

noahfischel1628 karma

Sorry, I just had to ask, but, Mr. Snowden, during the interview with John Oliver, was that really a picture of his junk in that folder?

aclu539 karma

For reference, here's the John Oliver interview with Snowden: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEVlyP4_11M

masshamacide1115 karma

What're your thoughts on Rand Paul's filibuster against the renewal of the Patriot Act?

SuddenlySnowden2103 karma

It represents a sea change from a few years ago, when intrusive new surveillance laws were passed without any kind of meaningful opposition or debate. Whatever you think about Rand Paul or his politics, it's important to remember that when he took the floor to say "No" to any length of reauthorization of the Patriot Act, he was speaking for the majority of Americans -- more than 60% of whom want to see this kind of mass surveillance reformed or ended.

He was joined by several other senators who disagree with the Senate Majority leader's efforts to sneak through a reauthorization of what courts just weeks ago declared was a comprehensively unlawful program, and if you notice that yours did not take to the floor with him, you should call them right now (1-920-END-4-215) and ask them to vote against any extension of the Patriot Act, because the final vote is being forced during the dark of a holiday weekend to shield them from criticism.

masshamacide180 karma

I appreciate the time and thought of your answer, Mr Snowden!

edit: Sen. Paul's actually from my state-- and having done some volunteer campaign work for him during my collegiate years, I was excited to see his stance.

aclu236 karma

You can also call your senators via https://www.aclu.org/feature/end-government-mass-surveillance

JameelJaffer183 karma

Totally agree with Ed (including with his call to action). Paul's filibuster is a reflection of discontent both within Congress and across the country with NSA overreach. He's by no means alone - he was joined on the floor by both Democrats and Republicans, and that bipartisanship is reflected in the public, where polls are finding wide support across the political spectrum for major reform. In light of that, Mitch McConnell's push for a straight reauthorization is just out of touch.

aclu125 karma

All, take action by calling your senators. Here's a click to call link: https://www.aclu.org/feature/end-government-mass-surveillance

JameelJaffer348 karma

Hi everyone. I'm Jameel Jaffer from the ACLU. Looking forward to the questions. A real honor to be here with Ed Snowden.

Legionof7170 karma

In your opinion, do you think that a majority of American Citizens care enough that they will call Congress and sign petitions? I think a large issue in America is Political Apathy.

aclu154 karma

See the latest poll we did here: 60% of Americans want their privacy back. https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/field_document/privacy_poll_results.pdf

Legionof728 karma

That's great! It's really good to know that fellow Americans also want to protect their privacy. :)

aclu60 karma

Glad you liked it!

Don't forget to take action, here's how:

Calling your senators: https://www.aclu.org/feature/end-government-mass-surveillance

Signing the petition: https://action.aclu.org/secure/section215

Getting the word out on social media: https://www.facebook.com/aclu.nationwide/photos/a.74134381812.86554.18982436812/10152748572081813/?type=1&permPage=1

Attending a sunset vigil to sunset the Patriot Act: https://www.endsurveillance.com/#protest

aclu4 karma

UPDATE: 5:11PM EST: Edward Snowden is back on again for more questions. Ask him anything!