Connecticut Four

In 2005, Library Connection received a National Security Letter (NSL) from the FBI, along with its accompanying perpetual gag order, demanding that the "libraries in the Library Connection network identify patrons who had used library computers online at a specific time one year earlier." In a case known as Doe v. Gonzales, George Christian, executive director of Library Connection, and three members of the executive committee of the board engaged the ACLU to file suit to challenge the constitutional validity of the NSL. Since violating the gag order is a prosecutable criminal offense all four members were listed in the lawsuit as either John Doe or Jane Doe. Because Section 505 of the USA PATRIOT Act, which authorizes the FBI to demand records without prior court approval, also forbids, o

Connecticut Four

In 2005, Library Connection received a National Security Letter (NSL) from the FBI, along with its accompanying perpetual gag order, demanding that the "libraries in the Library Connection network identify patrons who had used library computers online at a specific time one year earlier." In a case known as Doe v. Gonzales, George Christian, executive director of Library Connection, and three members of the executive committee of the board engaged the ACLU to file suit to challenge the constitutional validity of the NSL. Since violating the gag order is a prosecutable criminal offense all four members were listed in the lawsuit as either John Doe or Jane Doe. Because Section 505 of the USA PATRIOT Act, which authorizes the FBI to demand records without prior court approval, also forbids, o