25 years for protesting? Give me a break.
Oregon Law Would Jail War Protesters as Terrorists
Wed Apr 2, 9:01 PM ET
By Lee Douglas
PORTLAND, Oregon (Reuters) - An Oregon anti-terrorism bill would jail street-blocking protesters for at least 25 years in a thinly veiled effort to discourage anti-war demonstrations, critics say.
The bill has met strong opposition but lawmakers still expect a debate on the definition of terrorism and the value of free speech before a vote by the state senate judiciary committee (news - web sites), whose Chairman, Republican Senator John Minnis, wrote the proposed legislation.
Dubbed Senate Bill 742, it identifies a terrorist as a person who "plans or participates in an act that is intended, by at least one of its participants, to disrupt" business, transportation, schools, government, or free assembly.
The bill's few public supporters say police need stronger laws to break up protests that have created havoc in cities like Portland, where thousands of people have marched and demonstrated against war in Iraq (news - web sites) since last fall.
"We need some additional tools to control protests that shut down the city," said Lars Larson, a conservative radio talk show host who has aggressively stumped for the bill.
Larson said protesters should be protected by free speech laws, but not given free reign to hold up ambulances or frighten people out of their daily routines, adding that police and the court system could be trusted to see the difference.
"Right now a group of people can get together and go downtown and block a freeway," Larson said. "You need a tool to deal with that."
The bill contains automatic sentences of 25 years to life for the crime of terrorism.
Critics of the bill say its language is so vague it erodes basic freedoms in the name of fighting terrorism under an extremely broad definition.
"Under the original version (terrorism) meant essentially a food fight," said Andrea Meyer of the American Civil Liberties Union (news - web sites) (ACLU), which opposes the bill.
Police unions and minority groups also oppose the bill for fear it could have a chilling effect on relations between police and poor people, minorities, children and "vulnerable" populations.
Legislators say the bill stands little chance of passage.
"I just don't think this bill is ever going to get out of committee," said Democratic Senator Vicki Walker, one of four members on the six-person panel who have said they oppose the legislation.
Protest in the street, go to prison
I think the whole concept of this law is disturbing. Do the lawmakers forget which country they live in? Protesting is on of the most democratic things one can do. Now I don't believe that postestors should be destructive aka World Bank protests in Seatle. But there is a HUGE differance between a protest and a riot.
Not all those who wander are lost. J.R.R Tolkien
protests
It's one thing to protest peaceably in some public place, out of the way of everyone, holding a sign and chanting slogans.
It's another to obstruct people or vehicles, cause property damage, etc.
It's not unreasonable to have some kind of consequences to be participating in a demonstrating in the middle of the street, like you and 500 of your closest friends were yelling and waving signs in the middle of E. Wash. But to be branded as a terrorist for speaking your mind reeks of bigotry. If they were speaking out against anything else, would they be punished? What if they were holding an anti-France rally instead? Protesting against PETA? Showing their support for Colgate toothpaste? The only reason this is an issue is because they're speaking out against the war.
These people need to be reminded that people like Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, and Thomas Paine would have been considered terrorists by the British. Instead, we now consider them to be patriots.
I may not agree with what these protesters have to say, but they have a right to say it, and not be persecuted for it.
It sounds like Republicans trying to punish people simply for being open about being liberal. What hogwash.
It's another to obstruct people or vehicles, cause property damage, etc.
It's not unreasonable to have some kind of consequences to be participating in a demonstrating in the middle of the street, like you and 500 of your closest friends were yelling and waving signs in the middle of E. Wash. But to be branded as a terrorist for speaking your mind reeks of bigotry. If they were speaking out against anything else, would they be punished? What if they were holding an anti-France rally instead? Protesting against PETA? Showing their support for Colgate toothpaste? The only reason this is an issue is because they're speaking out against the war.
These people need to be reminded that people like Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, and Thomas Paine would have been considered terrorists by the British. Instead, we now consider them to be patriots.
I may not agree with what these protesters have to say, but they have a right to say it, and not be persecuted for it.
It sounds like Republicans trying to punish people simply for being open about being liberal. What hogwash.
When any kind of protester--anti-war, pro-war, anti-abortion, whatever--steps over the line of civil disobedience into violent and disruptive behavior, they have to expect the hammer to fall. Worse than that, it hurts their cause rather than help it. The NYC protesters laying down in the streets and blocking traffic did nothing but raise the ire of any driver who had to put up with them--and millions more who didn't. Free speech and assembly means precisely that: shout your slogans, your beliefs, and gather together to do it. Doesn't mean you can gather in any place you choose at your discretion--stick to the sidewalk, you're point will still get across.
But, yes, the use of the term *terrorist* is just ridiculous. Just as the anti-war crowd overreacted in the zealousness, so now, have authorities who forget for whom the Constitution and Bill of Rights was written--ALL OF US.
ED
But, yes, the use of the term *terrorist* is just ridiculous. Just as the anti-war crowd overreacted in the zealousness, so now, have authorities who forget for whom the Constitution and Bill of Rights was written--ALL OF US.
ED
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