Factsheet: The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA)

In November 2006, Congress passed and the President signed into law the AETA. Proponents of the bill, including animal-exploiting industry groups, corporations and the politicians that represent them, pushed for the passage of AETA ostensibly to crack down on violent animal and environmental rights extremists—even though there has not been a single injury or death caused by anyone involved in an animal or environmental action. The bill criminalizes legal, constitutionally-protected activity in order to silence political dissent targeting animal/natural resource-abusing industries.

The AETA:

• sweeps up free speech activities such as boycotts, whistle blowing, protests, media campaigning, picketing, audio/video recording, or any other activity that “interferes” with the operation of an “animal enterprise” resulting in a loss of profits.
• singles out animal and eco-activists for exceptionally harsh penalties based solely on political ideology.
• is not needed to curb violent actions; federal and state laws already protect corporations from criminal activity.
• was designed to eliminate the threat that effective activism poses to the profits and power of the animal and natural resource industries,.
• is so vague in its language that it could be used to criminalize anyone protesting the activities of an animal enterprise, which could impact labor unions, community groups, health organizations and social and economic justice movements.
• does not provide an exception for those engaged in labor disputes which is contrary to established law.

We believe that this threat to free speech is part of a larger effort by corporate interests to use the terrorism label to constrain social activism.

Join CCR in the Coalition to Abolish the AETA. Take action to protect your right to dissent.