For the past five years, AT&T, Verizon, and other major telecommunications companies have apparently violated long-standing American law by giving the Bush administration access to customer data and communications without a search warrant. Customers and privacy groups have sued these companies in federal court, but as part of the upcoming revisions to FISA, these companies and their friends in government are pushing to have provisions included that would make them immune to lawsuits holding them accountable for their lawbreaking.

Senator (and presidential candidate) Chris Dodd has used the traditional rules of the senate to place a "hold" on any bill that includes telecom immunity. But Majority Leader Harry Reid is threatening to break Dodd's hold and force the bill through the Senate.

Online activists are working to encourage Senator Reid to do the right thing and you can join the effort by co-signing the letter they will present to the majority leader:

www.NoRetroactiveImmunity.com

Also, our very own senior senator, Chuck Schumer, is on the telecom committee. You should call his office (202-224-6542) and ask him not to support Telecom immunity