[Bill I've been on vacation and am not sure if this info has been
posted here yet. If it has, feel free to not post this one.}

<https://secure2.convio.net/aspca/site/Advocacy?JServSessionIdr007=m47zef68b1.app24b&cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2037>

From ASPCA for public use:

H.R. 4239, the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA), is a bill that
could make it a crime punishable by imprisonment to cause any business
classified as an "animal enterprise" to suffer a loss of profit=97even
if the company's financial decline is the result of legal activities,
such as peaceful protests, consumer boycotts or media campaigns. The
term "animal enterprise" would include manufacturers, distributors and
sellers of animals or animal products, research facilities, pet stores,
breeders, zoos, rodeos, circuses, and animal shelters and the like.

While the ASPCA strongly opposes acts of violence, including vandalism,
property damage and trespass, this bill threatens to criminalize as
"terrorism" otherwise lawful, constitutionally protected acts often
utilized by citizens and organizations to effect change. Lawful and
peaceful protests that, for example, urge a consumer boycott of a
company that does not use humane procedures, could be the target of
this provision if the activity resulted in economic damage to the
company.

The bill would also make it illegal to expose cruel conditions at
facilities such as puppy mills and research labs, if exposure of such
conditions=97even if done lawfully=97would result in economic damage
to the animal enterprise. There is no exemption in the bill to exclude
"economic damage" that results from the disclosure of information about
a company's treatment of animals, which is disclosed through public
information.

The AETA has already been passed in the Senate, and a vote in the House
is expected very soon. It is critical that you contact your
representative immediately to show your opposition to H.R. 4239 and
urge him or her to protect our First Amendment rights to freedom of
speech by opposing H.R. 4239.

Use the link above to send email to your representative.

Linda Iroff
International Ferret Congress
http://www.ferretcongress.org

[Posted in FML 5394]