At the state, federal, and international levels, corporations have orchestrated an attempt to silence political activists, and a key target has been undercover investigators. For example:
- An "Ag Gag" bill has been introduced in Florida to criminalize investigations. Its lead sponsor calls these investigations "terrorism." Four similar attempts failed in other states this year.
- These state bills are similar to model "eco-terrorism" legislation drafted by the American Legislative Exchange Council, a corporate front group.
- A recent EUROPOL report on international terrorism includes a section on undercover investigations by animal rights and environmental activists.
- 12 Spanish activists have been charged with terrorism for their investigations.
- Two activists in Finland faced similar charges.
The FBI makes clear that the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act is not about protecting public safety; it is about protecting corporate profits. Corporations and the politicians who represent them have repeatedly lied to the American public about the scope of this legislation, and claimed that the law only targets underground groups like the Animal Liberation Front. The truth is that this terrorism law has been slowly, methodically expanded to include the tactics of national organizations like the Humane Society of the United States.
This document illustrates how the backlash against effective activism has progressed within the animal rights movement. However, if this type of legislation is not overturned, it will set a precedent for corporations to use this model against Occupy Wall Street and anyone else who threaten business as usual.
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