say no to the AETA!
New ‘Terrorism’ Laws to Protect Animal Abusers’ Profits
A new law moving through Congress threatens to classify non-violent civil disobedience carried out by animal-rights groups as terrorism.
The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA), already passed unanimously by the US Senate, expands on a previous law aimed at activists who protest the treatment of animals. It reclassifies common activist tactics as terrorism based solely on the cause pursued.
Proponents of the legislation, including co-sponsors Senator Dianne Feinstein (D–California) and Senator James Inhofe (R–Oklahoma), say it will offer protection to scientists, medical researchers, ranchers, farmers and other industries using animals against "violent tactics" used by animal-rights "extremists."
While the bill makes specific provisions to safeguard First Amendment-protected activity, such as peaceful protests and lawful boycotts, animal-rights activists and civil-rights groups say the bill's vague language could brand activists as terrorists for activities that are unlawful yet non-violent, such as blockades, property destruction, trespassing, and the freeing of captive animals.
The Senate passed the bill in September, less than a month after it was introduced. An even stricter version is under consideration by the House Judiciary Committee.
Current law allows the government to prosecute activists for intentionally damaging property used by "animal enterprises" – businesses that use or sell animals. The AETA expands the bill to criminalize activists who also "interfere" with animal enterprises and businesses that work with them, taking into account resulting profit losses. It increases lengths of jail sentences and fines for activists convicted for breaking the law during their protests.
Marv Johnson, legislative counsel for the ACLU, said activists could find themselves slapped with terrorism charges for committing non-violent crimes.
"The way the new bill is drafted is not particularly artful," Johnson told The NewStandard. "What we're concerned about is an instance… where protesters conduct a sit-in that causes lost profits. While they may be engaging in civil disobedience and have committed trespass, we don't want them prosecuted for 'terrorism' where the only damage is lost profits."
Additionally, the House version of the bill sweeps in "non-violent physical obstruction of an animal enterprise" as an offense if it causes a loss of profits.
A new law moving through Congress threatens to classify non-violent civil disobedience carried out by animal-rights groups as terrorism.
The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA), already passed unanimously by the US Senate, expands on a previous law aimed at activists who protest the treatment of animals. It reclassifies common activist tactics as terrorism based solely on the cause pursued.
Proponents of the legislation, including co-sponsors Senator Dianne Feinstein (D–California) and Senator James Inhofe (R–Oklahoma), say it will offer protection to scientists, medical researchers, ranchers, farmers and other industries using animals against "violent tactics" used by animal-rights "extremists."
While the bill makes specific provisions to safeguard First Amendment-protected activity, such as peaceful protests and lawful boycotts, animal-rights activists and civil-rights groups say the bill's vague language could brand activists as terrorists for activities that are unlawful yet non-violent, such as blockades, property destruction, trespassing, and the freeing of captive animals.
The Senate passed the bill in September, less than a month after it was introduced. An even stricter version is under consideration by the House Judiciary Committee.
Current law allows the government to prosecute activists for intentionally damaging property used by "animal enterprises" – businesses that use or sell animals. The AETA expands the bill to criminalize activists who also "interfere" with animal enterprises and businesses that work with them, taking into account resulting profit losses. It increases lengths of jail sentences and fines for activists convicted for breaking the law during their protests.
Marv Johnson, legislative counsel for the ACLU, said activists could find themselves slapped with terrorism charges for committing non-violent crimes.
"The way the new bill is drafted is not particularly artful," Johnson told The NewStandard. "What we're concerned about is an instance… where protesters conduct a sit-in that causes lost profits. While they may be engaging in civil disobedience and have committed trespass, we don't want them prosecuted for 'terrorism' where the only damage is lost profits."
Additionally, the House version of the bill sweeps in "non-violent physical obstruction of an animal enterprise" as an offense if it causes a loss of profits.
UPDATE: In a late night move on Friday, AETA was added to the House Suspension Calendar for THIS Monday! This underhanded fast-track maneuver, like the one in the Senate, means that AETA will not have any debate...only an up/down vote. PLEASE: Call your House Representative today and urge him or her to vote NO on the AETA! You can find Representatives' contact info at www.house.gov.
posted by kg @ 2:46 PM
1 comments
