stop the animal enterprise terrorism act (USA)

[ryansmithxvx]

copied from many other sources, it applies only to USA (sorry other people):

Stop Livestock Senators' Vote Monday to Criminalize Boycotts of KFC, MCD

BREAKING NEWS
Action Alert -- House Vote on AETA this Monday!

This is your ONLY chance to defeat the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (HR 4239, S3880)!

Comments

[dayakara]

I sent the following message to my Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland)

Dear Congressman Van Hollen,

Congratulations on your re-election. I am very happy to have you as my representative and wish you success in the coming 110th Congress.

I am writing because I am very concerned that the House of Representatives has suddenly decided to vote on the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (HR 4239, S3880) -- today!!

Many years ago I decided to become a vegetarian, and then a vegan because I was appalled at the way the meat, egg and dairy industries treat the animals and workers, choosing profit over all other concerns such as safety, compassion and dignity. I also support and contribute to animal rights organizations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Vegan Outreach, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, and Compassion Over Killing.

The proposed legislation appears to water down the definition of “terrorism” and “terror” in order to include nonviolent animal protection advocates such as myself and the organizations that I support. I find it highly objectionable that I, who am opposed to all violence, including that which is perpetrated against animals, would now be considered by my country to be on the same level as, say a member of al-Qaida.

I am especially worried for my civil rights in this age where the federal government believes it can wiretap phones without obtaining judicial consent or seems to wink when it says it does not torture.

As your constituent, I strongly urge you to: (1) vote NO on the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (HR4239, S 3880), which is currently on the suspension calendar for 11/13 to be voted on Monday after 6:30pm, and (2) to contact Rep. Sensenbrenner to remove the bill from the suspension calendar. The measure is much too important to pass without discussion.

As an FYI from the Equal Justice Alliance (http://www.noaeta.com/alert.htm):

- AETA is opposed by more than 150 animal protection, social justice, and civil liberty organizations including: National Lawyers Guild, Humane Society of the U.S., ASPCA, Natural Resources Defense Council, and the League of Humane Voters.
- AETA deserves a hearing to afford its many opponents a voice.
- AETA denies equal protection under the law and limits freedom of speech and assembly.
- AETA unfairly brands as ‘terrorists’ nonviolent animal protection advocates.
- AETA unfairly brands as ‘terrorism’ nonviolent civil disobedience and undercover investigations.
- AETA invokes excessively harsh penalties for comparable offenses.
- AETA is excessively broad and vague by covering innocent parties.
- AETA may authorize unwarranted wiretapping of animal protection advocates.
- AETA has a chilling effect on all forms of social justice and life affirming advocacy.
- AETA interferes with prosecution of real terrorism against the American people.

With all that the lame duck Congress has on its plate - remaining appropriations bills, nuclear cooperation with India, free trade with Vietnam, and of course Iraq, I hope you and others will either defeat this legislation or else push it back to the 110th Congress.

Thank you,