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Animal and eco-terrorism bill is needed to protect Texas citizens from criminals (2/21/2003) The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance has initiated a national legislative campaign to combat animal rights and ecological terrorism on a state-by-state basis. The bill introduced in Texas by Representative Ray Allen (R-Dallas) is based on draft legislation written in conjunction with the Alliance in response to the growing trend of violence committed by organized extremist groups in the name of animal rights. Texas House Bill 433, the Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act, will recognize animal rights and eco-terrorism as forms of domestic terrorism. It will increase penalties for persons participating in acts of eco-terrorism and create specific penalties for those who assist or finance these acts. "This bill targets individuals and underground organizations that endanger lives and destroy property," said Rob Sexton, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance vice president for government affairs. "For example, on February 2, the Animal Liberation Front, which the FBI classifies as a terrorist organization, cut the refrigeration and brake lines on 48 seafood delivery trucks in Chicago. This deliberate act was only discovered when a driver found himself unable to stop in the parking lot. It is nothing short of a miracle that no one was injured or killed." House Bill 433 will see to it that people who are involved in such acts in the name of animal or ecological rights are punished. Sexton adds that the bill will not restrict a person's first amendment right to free speech. "This bill does not strip anyone of the right to protest. It will however make it easier to punish those who commit criminal acts." The U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation has identified animal rights and ecological terrorism as the largest domestic terrorist threats. House Bill 433 contains specific provisions enabling law enforcement to penalize those who aid or assist terrorists or terrorist organizations. The increased penalties in the bill are justified because the victims of terror acts stretch far beyond the initial target. "Right now, truck drivers transporting animal products across the country are wondering if their vehicles are safe," said Sexton. "It is the spread of fear that makes the distinction between a terrorist and a common criminal." For more information about the Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act, please contact the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance at (614) 888-4868. CopyrightÓ U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance- www.ussportsmen.org
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