The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (H.R. 4239) would label a wide range of activism as “terrorism” if it “damages” an animal enterprise, or any business connected to an animal enterprise.

The AETA has passed the Senate unanimously and is currently pending in the House. Industry groups are trying to steamroll it through Congress as soon as lawmakers return from recess November 13.

The AETA would impact all kinds of activists, including environmentalists, social justice advocates and vegetarian outreach campaigners. Animal activists may be the first target of this scare-mongering, but they won’t be the last.

Talking Points
The AETA is Vague and Overly Broad. The AETA isn’t just about illegal actions like breaking windows or rescuing animals from fur farms. It includes penalties for “non-violent physical obstruction” and actions that do not harm people or property. It could label civil disobedience, whistleblowing, undercover investigations and aggressive—yet nonviolent—campaigns as “terrorism” if they hurt corporate profits.

The AETA Limits Free Speech. Labeling nonviolent actions as “terrorism” and prosecuting them as federal crimes will have a chilling effect on free speech. You shouldn’t have to be afraid of being labeled a “terrorist” for speaking up for animals.

Corporate Profits Aren’t a National Security Priority. There are better ways to spend scarce anti-terrorism resources than protecting corporate interests and targeting animal activists as “terrorists.”

What You Can Do
• Contact your U.S. Representatives, beginning November 13, and urge them to protect free speech and oppose this legislation (for Congressional contact information, visit www.congress.org). Use the talking points above.

• Distribute copies of this alert to anyone concerned about civil liberties.

• Keep updated on the AETA and for more detailed information, visit stopaeta.organd noaeta.org.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other prominent national groups have come out against the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. These are just some of the animal organizations and businesses that oppose the AETA.