Patriot Act

Effects of the Patriot Act

In October of 2001, the Patriot Act was passed with little debate, and dramatically expanded the investigative powers of the federal government, at the expense of our Constitutional freedoms. The Patriot Act was passed as a form of retaliation against the September 11 attacks in New York, the Pentagon, and Flight 93 which crashed in Shanksville.

What Started it All

At 7:58 a.m. United Airlines Flight 175 departs from Boston for Los Angeles, carrying 56 passengers, two pilots, and seven flight attendants. The Boeing 767 is hijacked after takeoff and diverted to New York. At 7:59 a.m. American Flight 11 departs Boston for Los Angeles, carrying 81 passengers, two pilots, and nine flight attendants. This Boeing is also hijacked and redirected. At 8:01 a.m. United Airlines Flight 93, a Boeing carrying 38 passengers, two pilots, and five flight attendants leaves Newark, NJ for San Francisco.

Screenchot of USA PATRIOT Act (German Wikipedia)

President George W. Bush addresses an audience Wed...

English: U.S. Senator Russ Feingold spoke on the S...

At 8:10 American Airlines Flight 77 departs Washington's Dulles International Airport for Los Angeles, carrying 58 passengers, two pilots, and four flight attendants. This Boeing is hijacked after takeoff. At 8:46 American Flight 11 from Boston crashes into the North Tower at the World Trade Center. At 9:03 a.m. United Flight 175 from Boston crashes into the South Tower at the World Trade Center, and U.S. Federal Aviation Administration shuts down all New York area airports. At 9:21 a.m. bridges and tunnels leading into New York City are closed. Then, at 9:25 a.m., all domestic flights are grounded by U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. At 9:45 a.m. American Flight 77 crashes into The Pentagon. At 10:05 a.m. the South Tower at the World Trade Center collapses. Then at 10:05 a.m. the White House is evacuated. Following that at 10:10 a.m. a large section of one side of The Pentagon...