SHAC 7 Trial Starts Wednesday - Support Free Speech!

[JackieO]

Who are the SHAC 7?

The SHAC 7 are animal rights activists indicted under the controversial Federal Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. The Act punishes anyone who "physically disrupts" an animal enterprise. The charges stem from these activists' alleged participation in an international campaign to close the notorious product testing lab Huntingdon Life Sciences.

Specifically, these activists are alleged to have operated a website that reported on and expressed ideological support for protest activity against Huntingdon and its business affiliates. For this they are charged with "terrorism" and face an aggregate of 23 years in Federal Prison.

The SHAC 7 case is the latest in an onslaught of attacks against domestic dissidents under the guise of fighting terrorism. Animal rights is a "fringe" issue and the government is banking on the broader social justice movement to turn a blind eye to those focusing on the “less important” issue of animals and expressing “extremist” views. But make no mistake - these activists are the canaries in the mine. This case is intended to pave the way for further silencing of activists involved in all issues. It is imperative that the broader social justice movement stand behind these activists in our communal defense of free speech, press, and association. Support the SHAC 7 and support your right to free expression!

For a comprehensive overview of SHAC 7 case, I recommend reading The SHAC 7 and the Future of Democracy.

A few other articles are available here.

There are TWO support rallies the first day of trial for the SHAC 7. One at 8:30 am and one at 11:00 am. Please mark your calendars and come out for both to show your support!

Date: Wednesday, June 1, 2005

Time: 8:30 AM Court Support Demo followed by an 11:00 AM Rally

Place: Federal Courthouse, 402 State St, Trenton, NJ

Background: On May 26th, 2004, 7 activists were indicted and arrested on "Animal Enterprise Terrorism" charges. Specifically, the activists are alleged to have operated a website for the Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty campaign. For this they face an aggregate of 23 years in jail each and upwards of $1,250,000 in fines.

This is what the "War on Terror" has become - a war on the First Amendment!

This is a call to action for anyone who believes that no one should be thrown in jail for expressing their views, no matter how controversial or unpopular those views may be. Attend this event to demonstrate that activists of varied social justice and civil liberty causes will stand together to defend free speech. Make no mistake: this is a frightening step in the Bush administration's path to "War on Domestic Dissidence" - a path that will not end until we stop it!

The SHAC 7: Kevin Jonas, Jake Conroy, Lauren Gazzola, Josh Harper, Darius Fullmer, Andy Stepanian and John McGee.

Please come support them.

SHAC7.com

[JackieO]

1. This is a major free speech trial.

I hope people are paying attention.

[JackieO]

2. First they came for the animal rights activists...

...but no one gave a shit. :shrug:

[shockra]

3. The SHAC 7 and the Future of Democracy

"Since 1999, Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC) activists in the U.K. and U.S. have waged an aggressive direct action campaign against Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS), an insidious animal testing company notorious for extreme animal abuse (torturing and killing 500 animals a day) and manipulated research data."

Yikes. We NEED people like SHAC.

[JackieO]

4. Any civil libertarians in the house?

Yes, 500 animals a day. I invite people to watch the undercover videos at http://insidehls.com if they can handle it.

I am glad to be a SHAC supporter and as a friend of two of the defendants, this case is of personal importance to me. But it should really be of great interest to anyone concerned with free speech and the ability to freely dissent in this country.

People are being tried for terrorism for allegedly operating a website - don't think it will stop here.

Thanks for responding.