In October, the US Senate voted unanimously to pass The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA), S. 3880; the House is slated to consider similar legislation, H.R. 4239, when they reconvene next week.

A number of animal advocacy organizations have distributed alerts urging citizens to take action. For those that have been crossposted or excerpted on easyVegan.info, click here or search for “AETA” using the search box to your right.

A recent alert from Friends of Animals included a link to an article in the newsletter Dissident Voice by Lee Hall. “The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act May Soon Be Law, How Could This Happen?” is a detailed look at AETA. It offers a good overview of the legislation, particularly how it came to be, so go check it out.

Hall concludes:

The AETA is close to becoming law because militant tactics have given oppressive forces the ability to rationalize a need for it; because the dominant paradigm in animal advocacy is isolation from compatible progressive causes; and because corporate front groups have organized around portraying environmentalists and animal advocates in an extremely negative light, then tapped into the current drive for anti-terror legislation. From this convergence of dynamics, H.R. 4239 has arisen.

In the coming days, it’s imperative that we energetically oppose this bill. Find the person who claims to represent you in Congress, ring them up at 202.224.3121, and explain that real safety means questioning the influence of corporate profit-seekers over their lawmaking.

And in the long term, it’s imperative that progressive thinkers create liaisons and learn from each other. The single-issue advocacy groups that follow the corporate paradigm are unlikely to understand the point. But let the AETA be a wake-up call to the rest of us.

Indeed, AETA has serious consequences not just for animal advocates, but for all activists. Consequently, a number of diverse organization oppose the bills, including the ACLU, The National Lawyers Guild, Indy Media, and the Rainforest Action Network. This is, of course, in addition to the 130+ animal advocacy organizations that oppose the legislation.

Whether you’re an animal rights advocate, someone who believes in the humane treatment of animals, an environmentalist, or an activist of another stripe altogether, please take a moment to contact your Representative and urge him or her to vote against H.R. 4239. You may also want to contact your Senators and (politely) scold them for voting to pass S. 3880. Contact information for US Reps is available at www.house.gov; Senators, www.senate.gov. If you need help getting started or would like further background, feel free to browse through some of the action alerts previously posted on this site.

After the jump: a list of additional resources.

* Equal Justice Alliance - No AETA.com (The site offers Talking Points and a Sample Letter to help you persuade your Rep to vote against AETA; Graphics for your website; and a comprehensive list of links to additional resources.)

* Stop AETA.org

* Green Is the New Red (Click on the Legislation category to view relevant posts.)

* SATYA Magazine: Tell Congress Activism Isn’t “Terrorism”; Don’t Lose Your Voice for the Voiceless

* SATYA Magazine: What We’re Up Against: Who’s Behind the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (list of AETA supporters)

* SATYA Magazine: Guest Editorial: It’s Time to Stop the AETA, by Will Potter

* The Animal’s Voice: Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) — Resources

* HSUS: Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) Factsheet

* HSUS: Legal Concerns: ALEC Looks to Turn Animal Activists into Domestic Terrorists

* Petition Online: Citizens Against the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) (Sign It!)

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Tagged: animals animal+rights action+alerts aeta Animal+Enterprise+Terrorism+Act lee+hall dissident+voice aclu american+civil+liberties+union free+speech terrorism animal+terrorism eco-terrorism censorship