top
US
US
Indybay
Indybay
Indybay
Regions
Indybay Regions North Coast Central Valley North Bay East Bay South Bay San Francisco Peninsula Santa Cruz IMC - Independent Media Center for the Monterey Bay Area North Coast Central Valley North Bay East Bay South Bay San Francisco Peninsula Santa Cruz IMC - Independent Media Center for the Monterey Bay Area California United States International Americas Haiti Iraq Palestine Afghanistan
Topics
Newswire
Features
From the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature

Congressman McGovern Commits to Work with Activists: First Steps Taken to Repeal the AETA

by jenlaura
On November 29th protesters rallied outside of Representative James McGovern’s in protest of The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA), which was signed into law on November 27th. Under the new law, animal rights activists face massive fines and jail time for being involved in nonviolent civil disobedience. In light of increased marginalization and repression of eco-activists by federal officials, all individuals concerned with loss of our civil liberties to need to ban together in protest of the AETA and act in solidarity with victims of the Greenscare.

video: 3:25
2451.jpg
Dozens assembled at James McGovern’s office on November 29th to draw attention to the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) and to ask the congressman to work to repeal the law. Protestors were angered when the AETA was quickly passed by the House of Representative on November 13th with only six of the 435 members voting on it and was signed into law on November 27th by President Bush. Sha’Kuana!, one of the organizers said, “this law plays off the fears of 9/11 by labeling activists as terrorists”. Under the new law, animal rights activists face massive fines and jail time for being involved in nonviolent civil disobedience.

The group gathered at noon with signs, chants, and literature outside the office on Mechanics Street in Worcester, MA. They spoke to passersby about the new law and its affect on civil liberties. After about an hour and a half outside, the group went into the office and presented McGovern’s staff with a letter, petition, and proposed repeal bill. They were then able to speak to the Congressman via speakerphone. He subsequently released a statement agreeing to further dialogue with the activists regarding the AETA at a meeting in January and hopes to address the problems with the law.

These actions are the first steps to repealing the AETA and improving rights for activists globally. Activists in Worcester demonstrated that addressing their congressman directly can bring about positive results. While we call for a diversity of tactics, we believe that similar pressure on lawmakers throughout the nation needs to be applied to build support in Congress and repeal the AETA. In light of increased marginalization and repression of eco-activists by federal officials, all individuals concerned with loss of our civil liberties to need to ban together in protest of the AETA and act in solidarity with victims of the Greenscare.
§outside the office
by jenlaura
1c09.jpg
§we are not terrorists.
by jenlaura
3482.jpg
§Inside McGovern's office
by jenlaura
37c7.jpg
Add Your Comments

Comments (Hide Comments)
by Neutral Red Bioassay
Lungren responded to an email asking him to not vote for this attrocious piece of sneaky legislation.

Dear Mr. XXXXXXX,

Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 4239 the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. I appreciate learning of your views.

H.R.4239 was introduced by Representative Thomas E. Petri on November 4, 2005 in response to the growing threat of eco-terrorism. This statute is designed to fill gaps in the current Federal Criminal Code that may not cover the interstate nature of the planning and conduct of criminal harassment campaigns. H.R. 4239 would amend the animal enterprise terrorism statute, 18 U.S. Code 43, to prohibit anyone from traveling in, or using the mail or any facility of, interstate or foreign commerce for the purpose of damaging or disrupting an animal enterprise.

It is my belief that Congress should protect commercial resources of national import. In United States v. Lopez, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the power of Congress to regulate the channels, instrumentalities, and of interstate commerce.

H.R. 4239 has been referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, of which I am a member. If this bill comes to the House floor in the 109th Congress, please be assured that I keep your views in mind.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me.

If you ever need help with a federal agency, please contact my office at (916) 859-9906, or for more information on issues or legislation pending before Congress; please visit our website at http://www.lungren.house.gov My staff and I are always available to address your concerns, answer your questions, and listen to your ideas.

Sincerely,

Daniel E. Lungren
Member of Congress

Note: Please do not respond directly to this e-mail. To better serve the constituents of the Third District I have established a Feedback Form on my website. If you wish to contact me with any concerns, I would ask that you please utilize the following link and I will respond shortly ( http://www.house.gov/lungren/feedback.shtml).
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!

Donate

$110.00 donated
in the past month

Get Involved

If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.

Publish

Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.

IMC Network