CHATHAM, N.Y. (AP) - Frank Serpico, the whistle-blowing
ex-New York City cop, criticized the government's anti-terrorism
measures at a July Fourth reading of the Declaration of
Independence.

``It is my opinion that never before have we, as a nation, stood in
greater danger of losing our individual liberties as we are today,''
he said. ``We, the people of this great nation, are being
punished for the transgressions of our leaders and their
consorts.''

Despite catcalls from the audience, he continued with his
statement before moving on to the text of the historic document.

``When I still have the freedom to speak, I'll always use it,'' said
Serpico, best known for fighting corruption within the police
department in the 1960s.

Peter Maas wrote the book ``Serpico,'' about Serpico's battle
against departmental corruption. The book became a hit movie
starring Al Pacino.

The organizers of Thursday's event, which also featured a
performance of the play ``1776,'' were surprised by Serpico's
statements, and some were disappointed that he used the
occasion as a soapbox.

``The politicking was totally unexpected,'' Barbara Peduzzi,
assistant producer at the Mac-Haydn Theatre, told the
Register-Star of Hudson.