Anti-activism law

Anti-activism Law

The ultra-conservative American Legislative Exchange Council (alec) is championing a new law that will endanger activists supporting environmental, animal and human rights. The council, trying to capitalise on existing public paranoia created by terrorism, has fashioned the "Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act."

The legislation aims to create a barrier against public campaigns that draw attention to environmental, animal-rights and public health exploitation. The law, meant to be enacted in states, virtually makes it a crime to participate in green activism. Variations of this legislation have already been introduced in Texas in February 2003 and in New York in March. Several other states are also keenly studying the bill.

The alec's us $6 million annual budget is mainly provided by corporate sponsors including Phillip Morris (now Altria), Enron and numerous oil firms. The organisation also has 2,400 legislators from all 50 states on its rolls.