The What:
The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) is a United States federal law (Pub.L. 109–374; 18 U.S.C. § 43) that prohibits any person from engaging in certain conduct "for the purpose of damaging or interfering with the operations of an animal enterprise."[1] The statute covers any act that either "damages or causes the loss of any real or personal property" or "places a person in reasonable fear" of injury. The law contains a savings clause that indicates it should not be construed to "prohibit any expressive conduct (including peaceful picketing or other peaceful demonstration) protected from legal prohibition by the First Amendment to the Constitution." [1] However, by its own terms, the statute criminalizes acts such as "intimidation." And prosecutions under AETA require using evidence of otherwise lawful free speech in order to demonstrate a "course of conduct" as proof of purpose or possible conspiracy.[2]
The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) is a United States federal law (Pub.L. 109–374; 18 U.S.C. § 43) that prohibits any person from engaging in certain conduct "for the purpose of damaging or interfering with the operations of an animal enterprise."[1] The statute covers any act that either "damages or causes the loss of any real or personal property" or "places a person in reasonable fear" of injury. The law contains a savings clause that indicates it should not be construed to "prohibit any expressive conduct (including peaceful picketing or other peaceful demonstration) protected from legal prohibition by the First Amendment to the Constitution." [1] However, by its own terms, the statute criminalizes acts such as "intimidation." And prosecutions under AETA require using evidence of otherwise lawful free speech in order to demonstrate a "course of conduct" as proof of purpose or possible conspiracy.[2]
The law amends the Animal Enterprise Protection Act of 1992 (Pub.L. 102–346) and gives the U.S. Department of Justice greater authority to target animal rights activists. The AETA does so by broadening the definition of "animal enterprise" to include academic and commercial enterprises that use or sell animals or animal products. It also increases the existing penalties, includes penalties based on the amount of economic damage caused, and allows animal enterprises to seek restitution. (Source: Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Enterprise_Terrorism_Act)
The Why:
Animal rights activists have been labeled "The No. 1 domestic terrorism threat" according to John Lewis, a top FBI official, even though no one has ever been killed or injured in the name of animal rights. These activists stand up for what they believe in and give voices to the voiceless. The AETA aims to silence these voices by using our First Amendment rights against us by restricting free speech while protecting corporate profits. The AETA is something these companies publicly supported and pushed through Washington and they need to know we will not be deterred. It's time to join together and boycott these companies for their support of this dangerous piece of legislation.
The How:
Every time we purchase a product we are supporting the company that makes it and in effect we are helping to fund their agenda. It's time to show them that their profits do not take precedence over our rights or the rights of the animals being abused and killed each and every day. With this campaign we can stay informed about the companies we buy from and avoid the ones who support the AETA. It's time to vote with our wallets.
There are numerous organizations that support this legislation but not all can be added to this list due to the nature of this tool. A list of organizations that support the AETA can be found here: http://www.furcommission.com/animal-enterprise-terrorism-act-resources/. On the other hand, you can also find a list of organizations that oppose the AETA here: http://noaeta.org/allies.htm.
Hopefully this campaign will help shed some light on an issue that many people don't even know exists. I will update this as often as I can. Feel free to message me if you find any other companies that should be added to the "Avoid" list, or if you find companies that publicly oppose this legislation and should be added to the "Support" list.
Journalist Will Potter's site Green Is The New Red is a great resource to stay informed about this issue.
The Why:
Animal rights activists have been labeled "The No. 1 domestic terrorism threat" according to John Lewis, a top FBI official, even though no one has ever been killed or injured in the name of animal rights. These activists stand up for what they believe in and give voices to the voiceless. The AETA aims to silence these voices by using our First Amendment rights against us by restricting free speech while protecting corporate profits. The AETA is something these companies publicly supported and pushed through Washington and they need to know we will not be deterred. It's time to join together and boycott these companies for their support of this dangerous piece of legislation.
The How:
Every time we purchase a product we are supporting the company that makes it and in effect we are helping to fund their agenda. It's time to show them that their profits do not take precedence over our rights or the rights of the animals being abused and killed each and every day. With this campaign we can stay informed about the companies we buy from and avoid the ones who support the AETA. It's time to vote with our wallets.
There are numerous organizations that support this legislation but not all can be added to this list due to the nature of this tool. A list of organizations that support the AETA can be found here: http://www.furcommission.com/animal-enterprise-terrorism-act-resources/. On the other hand, you can also find a list of organizations that oppose the AETA here: http://noaeta.org/allies.htm.
Hopefully this campaign will help shed some light on an issue that many people don't even know exists. I will update this as often as I can. Feel free to message me if you find any other companies that should be added to the "Avoid" list, or if you find companies that publicly oppose this legislation and should be added to the "Support" list.
Journalist Will Potter's site Green Is The New Red is a great resource to stay informed about this issue.
