(WASHINGTON, DC) - A diverse collection of nonprofit and advocacy groups representing a broad spectrum of political views and issues called upon members of Congress today to stop using a new computer program which enables members' Web sites to block e-mail communications from constituents.

In a joint letter signed by more than 100 organizations, many of whom are more often opponents than allies in their daily work, the groups write: "Congressional attempts to differentiate among constituent communications - accepting only unorganized communications but blocking communications where individuals are working together to deliver a strong message - raise dangerous questions about the infringement of constituents' First Amendment rights and are a disservice to constituents."

Several Congressional offices recently implemented a "Logic Puzzle" computer program that requires a constituent to answer a random computer-generated question before sending an email to their representative. The program effectively blocks emails from constituents who use Internet programs provided by nonprofit and advocacy organizations to help members communicate with their elected officials.

The groups are offering to work with Congress to help find a way to effectively manage constituent communications. "The Internet provides a new generation of civic-minded Americans an education in effective democracy and the ability to speak clearly and together about their most deeply held beliefs and concerns. Organizations like ours are legitimate participants in that online forum, where people come together, formulate ideas about their issues, and then communicate with you," the groups write.

Full letter and groups attached.

AFL-CIO * American Arts Alliance * American Association of Law Libraries * American Association of People with Disabilities * American Association of University Women * American Civil Liberties Union * American Conservative Union * American Family Association * American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees * American Federation of Teachers * American Jewish World Service * American Library Association * American Lung Association * American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO * American Rights at Work * American Rivers * Appalachian Mountain Club * Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law * Buzzmaker.net * C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition * Call to Renewal * Campaign to Restore Jackson State Redwood Forest * Care2 * Center for a New American Dream * Center for Economic Progress * Children Now * Children's Campaign, Inc. * Citizen Outreach * Common Knowledge * Citizens for Missouri's Children * Clean Water Action * Communications Workers of America * Consumer Federation of America * Consumers Union * Defenders of Wildlife * Democracy for America * Democracy in Action * Donordigital * Earthworks * Dharma Cloud Charitable Foundation Trust * Drug Policy Alliance * Drug Reform Coordination Network * Earthjustice * Earthworks * EchoDitto * Electronic Arts * Electronic Frontier Foundation * Equal Rights Washington * Equality Illinois * Equality North Carolina * Equality Texas * Fairfax County Privacy Council * Families USA * Free Press * Free Range * Greenpeace USA * In Defense of Animals * Institute for Politics, Democracy and the Internet * International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers * Internet Advocacy Center *

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