Industry groups have said again and again that Congress needed to pass the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act this week because the original legislation, the Animal Enterprise Protection Act, didn’t go far enough. There are loopholes in the law, they say, that allow for “tertiary targeting.” They also have said again and again that the expanded law won’t be used to target First Amendment activity.
Meanwhile, as corporations and the politicians that represent them rushed through this legislation, a group of nonviolent activists prepared to spend the next several years in prison. The remaining defendants in the Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty case— Josh, Jake, Kevin, Lauren and Darius– began their prison sentences today.
I try to avoid using loaded descriptions like “Orwellian,” because using them too often waters down the true meaning. But as these activists headed off to prison this morning, I kept thinking “War is Peace.” Members of Congress and industry groups have pulled off a PR feat that would make Joseph McCarthy proud.
Corporations and the politicians that represent them cry out, “Our hands are tied! The original legislation didn’t go far enough!”
Meanwhile, six activists head to prison, convicted under the original legislation.
Corporations and the politicians that represent them cry out, “There are loopholes in the original bill! We can’t convict activists that engage in ‘tertiary targeting’!”
Meanwhile, six activists head to prison for their part in a campaign that did exactly that, much like the anti-apartheid movement.
Corporations and the politicians that represent them cry out, “This legislation won’t target First Amendment activity!”
Meanwhile, six activists head to prison for running a website.
Corporations and the politicians that represent them cry out, “We need protection from ‘eco-terrorists,’ vandals and violent activists!”.
Meanwhile, six activists head to prison, convicted under the original law but never accused of committing one single act of property destruction.
Corporations and the politicians that represent them cry out, “Those who play by the rules have nothing to fear!”
Meanwhile, countless activists that aren’t heading to prison wonder if they’ll be next.