The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and a network of grassroots groups launch the Coalition to Abolish the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) - a coalition created to put an end to an unconstitutional law passed by Congress that is being used to repress dissent in the animal and environmental protection movements and threatens the civil liberties of all of us.

Check out the Coalition website at http://www.abolishtheaeta.org

Abolishing the AETA would roll back a dangerous standard that criminalizes dissent and invokes terrorism to stiffen penalties, potentially for all of us.

The AETA was signed into law by President Bush in the middle of the night on November 27, 2006, just hours before Congressional recess for November elections. The law was passed by a procedure called "suspension of the rules," often used to accomplish something that is normally not allowed by bypassing standard rules or processes. The AETA originates from the Animal Enterprise Protection Act (AEPA) and expands the type of actions that are criminalized and increases penalties for violations.

This law, paid for by large pharmaceutical corporations and other big businesses, unconstitutionally violates the First Amendment rights of any individual or group that engages in protected acts like distributing materials, whistleblowing, organizing a consumer boycott, or producing a video by defining them as acts of terrorism. The AETA labels any individual or group that causes a loss of profit to a business that uses animals - or to any business that works with another that does - as "terrorists," even if animal exploitation or abuse is occurring. Under the AETA, such activities are criminalized, and activists receive charges and penalties disproportionate to their actions.

Compassion is not terrorism. Join us to build a strong coalition that big business can't buy. Endorse the Coalition to Abolish the AETA at the new website, http://www.abolishtheaeta.org, help spread the word, and take action today. We look forward to working with you to protect our constitutional rights.


Sincerely,


Annette Dickerson Warren
Director of Education & Outreach