Posted on 02/20/2003 10:32:47 AM PST by new cruelty
FORT WORTH - A bill to thwart ecological terrorism has environmentalists, animal rights activists and civil libertarians complaining that the measure is overly broad and would be unconstitutional if it became law.
The Animal Rights and Ecological Terrorism Act filed by Rep. Ray Allen, R-Grand Prairie, likens some protests conducted by environmental and animal welfare activists to terrorism, say the bill's opponents.
"There's a difference between free speech and civil disobedience and acts that impact people and property," said Robin Schneider, Texas Campaign for the Environment director.
Allen, chairman of a legislative sportsmen's caucus, said he doesn't want to stifle freedom of speech.
"We've been monitoring the growing violence among the growing fringe of animal rights groups and eco-freaks," Allen said. "It's probably not a bad idea to start the discussion in Texas on where valid First Amendment rights end and criminal behavior and criminal conspiracies begin."
There is a difference between standing with signs to protest logging and spiking trees in a way that could injure loggers, Allen said. There have been some instances in Texas where pet store windows have been broken to "liberate" animals, he said.
Under the proposed law, any two or more people organized for the purpose of "supporting any political activity" to obstruct or deter someone from an activity involving animals or animal resources could be tabbed an ecological terrorist organization. The law would not allow people to photograph a facility for the purpose of defaming it. It would also prohibit people to knowingly contribute to such an organization.
The bill is part of a national legislative campaign by the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, a hunting and outdoor sports lobbying group.
"Any activity done under the name of animal rights or the environment that is a terroristic act should be punished accordingly," said Doug Jeanneret, alliance spokesman.
Some rod-and-gun clubs have been burned, people have been harassed and animal farms and research laboratories have been vandalized, he said.
The alliance wrote model legislation it is trying to get passed in many states, he said.
Opponents of the bill said they were encouraged by a meeting with Allen's staff Wednesday that could lead to the removal of some of the most controversial language.
Groups opposed to the current bill aren't arguing "that destroying a lab isn't a crime," said Will Harrell, director of the Texas American Civil Liberties Union.
A provision to create a database of offenders available on the Internet "is off the table," and there appears to be agreement to eliminate the words "terrorism" and "ecoterrorist," Harrell said.
Allen said the bill would be cut down to focus on enhanced penalties for criminal behavior. It is not directed at legitimate environmental groups, he said.
"I want to spark a wider discussion about the growing linkage of some of the lunatic fringe -- people who pose a danger to the public or people who threaten to or do destroy property," he said.
A provision to create a database of offenders available on the Internet "is off the table," and there appears to be agreement to eliminate the words "terrorism" and "ecoterrorist,"
Sounds like it'll end up being a little too watered down for my taste, but it's a good start anyway.
Spiking trees and burning buildings is already a crime! What more is needed other than that? I believe that this is going to set a very bad standard. Soon, abortion protesters, Constitutional Protesters etc will be subject to the same types of laws, all of us terrorists in some way. Heck, donors to FIRE! could concievably be grouped under this umbrella. Not good IMO.
Ruh roh! Registered, you'd better stay out of Texas if they pass this....
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