Speaking to a crowd of supporters and Muslim activists in Tampa, Fla., the Ohio Democrat explained Tuesday his belief that provisions of the Patriot Act and other federal efforts to combat terrorism inherently violated the rights of Muslim-Americans.

"The defining issue for Muslims is the restriction of civil liberties," said Kucinich, a candidate to be the Democratic nominee for president. "The civil liberties of all Americans are only as strong as the civil liberties that we accord the Muslim-American community."

Kucinich was in Tampa to meet with Muslims and members of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a national civil rights group.