HSUS Asks Texas House To Reject Legislation Criminalizing

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: Mary Eisenhart <Mary.Eisenhart () yoyow com>
Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2003 12:30:28 -0800
To: dave () farber net
Subject: possibly of interest

Hi Dave--

I got this from the HSUS mailing list, and it seems to be a classic
example of what some of us have feared from the get-go--defining as
"terrorists" anyone the powers that be don't like, and making them
fair game for all manner of abuse and rights violations. In this
case, it seems to be animal rights people. Tomorrow, some other
capricious and arbitrary target.

It seems to go further in criminalizing anyone who donates to any
organization said powers don't like, as well.

If you think it's worthy of passing along, feel free. Thanks!

Mary
--
Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2003 12:34:58 -0800
Subject: HSUS Asks Texas House To Reject Legislation Criminalizing
Animal Advocacy Efforts
To: "HSUS Media List" <hsus-media () lists hsus org>
From: hsuspr () hsus org
List-Unsubscribe: <mailto:leave-hsus-media-40175F () lists hsus org>
Reply-To: hsuspr () hsus org

THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES ASKS TEXAS HOUSE TO REJECT
LEGISLATION CRIMINALIZING ANIMAL ADVOCACY EFFORTS

DALLAS  (February 19, 2003) - The Humane Society of the United States
(HSUS), the nationís largest animal protection organization with more than
320,000 members and constituents in Texas, is asking the Texas House to
reject H.B. 433, the so-called ìAnimal Rights and Ecological Terrorism
Act,î which exploits the climate of concern about terrorism in order to
stifle and criminalize legitimate debate, investigation and discussion
about animal welfare and environment issues.

The American Civil Liberties Union, the Texas Sierra Club, the American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the Texas Humane
Legislative Network also oppose the legislation.

If passed in its current form H.B. 433 would add a new class of crimes to
the Texas Criminal Code. Some of the provisions would:

ï    Criminalize legitimate political and social protests, demonstrations,
civil disobedience and debate by animal or environmental advocates.
ï    Subject any Texan to criminal liability if he or she donates
money to an
organization that has engaged in non-violent civil disobedience; this
criminal liability would apply only to donors of animal or environmental
groups, not groups working on peace, pro-life or other causes.
ï    Create a state run website at which certain people advocating
for animal
welfare and environmental protection would be identified, photographed and
stigmatized as ìterroristsî -- much like they now do with sex offenders
and child molesters.
ï    Bar a journalist from legally entering an animal facility ìto take
photographs or make a video recording with the intent to defame the
facility or the facility's owner.î

ìH.B. 433 is an embarrassment to every Texan who values the fundamental
freedoms of speech and assembly,î stated Lou Guyton, director of The HSUSí
Southwest Regional Office located in Dallas.

ìH.B. 433 is so wide-sweeping in its application it would make terrorists
out of whistle blowers, investigative reporters, and other individuals
seeking to bring animal and environmental exploitation to the publicís
attention,î said Wayne Pacelle, a senior vice president at The HSUSí
national headquarters in Washington. ìThe Humane Society of the United
States has always condemned violence, the destruction of property, and
other types of illegal conduct, and all of these activities constitute
criminal conduct under current law, and rightly so.î

The U.S. Sportsmenís Alliance, a Columbus, Ohio-based organization backed
by the Archery Manufacturers Association, Cabelaís, and other hunting
industry corporations, drafted the model bill in an effort to launch
nationwide legislative campaigns in an attempt to attack legitimate animal
protection organizations.

ìH.B. 433 masquerades as an anti-terrorist bill, but what it seeks to do
is to limit the right of individuals and organizations to take photographs
and engage in other legitimate conduct if it is critical of animal-use
industries,î concluded Pacelle.

The HSUS has seven million members and constituents. With active programs
in companion animals, wildlife, animals in research and farm animals and
sustainable agriculture, The HSUS works to protect all animals through
legislation, litigation, investigation, education, advocacy and field
work. For more information, visit The HSUSí Web site ñ www.hsus.org.


-30-

For More Information Contact: Lou Guyton (972) 488-2964 or
  Rachel Querry (301) 258-8255


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