elf is fucked
Civil Rights vs. Fear of Terrorism
Animal rights and environmental activists are the targets of a new bill introduced into the Texas Legislature in February 2003 by Representative Ray Allen (R-Grapevine). H.B. 433, the so-called "Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act" is loosely modeled after federal laws designed to combat the "war on terrorism;" however, this bill uses fear as the tool to implement legislation seeking to criminalize any activity pertaining to animal rights or environmental activism. Did I mention that the model bill was drafted by the national lobbyists group, The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance (USSA)? The USSA, along with the America Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)are promoting this bill nationwide.
A Glimpse at some of the Wording of H.B. 433:
Definition of Animal Rights or Ecological Terrorist Organization under this bill: Two or more persons organized for the purpose of supporting any politically motivated activity intended to obstruct or deter any person from participating in an activity involving animals or natural resources.
Definition of Political Motivation: any intent to influence a governmental entity or the public to take a specific political action.
If passed in its current form, H.B. 433 would destroy Texan's civil rights. Under the bill, anyone could be considered a "terrorist" if they were to participate in any activity (legitimate peaceful protest, civil disobedience, demonstration, or debate) on behalf of environmental or animal welfare. Similarly, contributing money or contributions in any form to these supposed "terrorist cells" would be punishable.
The bill would also create a state-run Website similar to the state-run sex-offender sites, wherein all offenders would be required to register their name, address, and provide a current photo for three years.
Furthermore, the bill language implies that a journalist could not enter a facility (any facility that is potentially harming the environment or animals) to photograph or record any wrongdoings for the purpose of informing the public or defaming the facility for such acts.
The U.S. Sportsman's Alliance has lobbied variations of this bill to legislators in Mississippi, Washington, New York and Wisconsin for 2003 as part of a state-by-state campaign to bring down the radical environmental and animal rights movements.
My personal opinion is that the only people this bill stands to hurt are the activists engaging in legitimate means of protest. Several bills trying to curb politically motivated acts of "eco-terrorism" have been passed in Oregon and Washington; yet, the numbers for these crimes continue to rise steadily. Frustration and fear on the part of lawmakers and federal agents have left them with the idea that all activists are involved in illegal activity; however, proposing laws such as these which rob us of our basic constitutional rights is not the answer.
Similar bills have appeared within the past few weeks in New York, Pennsylvania, and Maine, and may soon appear in (at least) Wisconsin, Mississippi and Washington.
Animal rights and environmental activists are the targets of a new bill introduced into the Texas Legislature in February 2003 by Representative Ray Allen (R-Grapevine). H.B. 433, the so-called "Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act" is loosely modeled after federal laws designed to combat the "war on terrorism;" however, this bill uses fear as the tool to implement legislation seeking to criminalize any activity pertaining to animal rights or environmental activism. Did I mention that the model bill was drafted by the national lobbyists group, The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance (USSA)? The USSA, along with the America Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)are promoting this bill nationwide.
A Glimpse at some of the Wording of H.B. 433:
Definition of Animal Rights or Ecological Terrorist Organization under this bill: Two or more persons organized for the purpose of supporting any politically motivated activity intended to obstruct or deter any person from participating in an activity involving animals or natural resources.
Definition of Political Motivation: any intent to influence a governmental entity or the public to take a specific political action.
If passed in its current form, H.B. 433 would destroy Texan's civil rights. Under the bill, anyone could be considered a "terrorist" if they were to participate in any activity (legitimate peaceful protest, civil disobedience, demonstration, or debate) on behalf of environmental or animal welfare. Similarly, contributing money or contributions in any form to these supposed "terrorist cells" would be punishable.
The bill would also create a state-run Website similar to the state-run sex-offender sites, wherein all offenders would be required to register their name, address, and provide a current photo for three years.
Furthermore, the bill language implies that a journalist could not enter a facility (any facility that is potentially harming the environment or animals) to photograph or record any wrongdoings for the purpose of informing the public or defaming the facility for such acts.
The U.S. Sportsman's Alliance has lobbied variations of this bill to legislators in Mississippi, Washington, New York and Wisconsin for 2003 as part of a state-by-state campaign to bring down the radical environmental and animal rights movements.
My personal opinion is that the only people this bill stands to hurt are the activists engaging in legitimate means of protest. Several bills trying to curb politically motivated acts of "eco-terrorism" have been passed in Oregon and Washington; yet, the numbers for these crimes continue to rise steadily. Frustration and fear on the part of lawmakers and federal agents have left them with the idea that all activists are involved in illegal activity; however, proposing laws such as these which rob us of our basic constitutional rights is not the answer.
Similar bills have appeared within the past few weeks in New York, Pennsylvania, and Maine, and may soon appear in (at least) Wisconsin, Mississippi and Washington.