Why did civil liberties groups object to the passage of the US PATRIOT act?

Civil liberties groups objected to the passage of the US PATRIOT Act primarily due to concerns over the broad expansion of government surveillance and law enforcement powers. They argued that the Act undermined privacy rights and civil liberties by allowing for warrantless searches, increased monitoring of communications, and the potential for racial profiling. Critics also feared that the Act could lead to abuse of power and the erosion of constitutional protections, particularly for marginalized communities. Overall, these groups emphasized the need to balance national security with the protection of individual freedoms.