Opponents Say 'Commercial Terrorism' Bill Would Limit Free Speech

February 23, 2001

Friday, February 23, 2001

BY C.G. WALLACE

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SALT LAKE CITY -- The American Civil Liberties Union and animal rights

activists spoke against a bill Thursday that they say targets

animal-rights protests, arguing the measure would limit speech.

The Senate Transportation and Public Safety Committee voted 3-2 Thursday

to send Roy Republican Rep. Gerry Adair's proposal to the full Senate

for consideration. It passed the House, 54-17, last week.

The bill would increase criminal penalties for anyone committing a crime

against farms, research facilities, fur plants or other businesses that

use animals if it is determined the crime was intended to harm that

business. The bill, when defining commercial terrorism, says that

entering a business includes an " intrusion of any physical object, sound

wave, light ray, electronic signal, or other means of intrusion under

the control of the actor. "

That would make it illegal for lawfully assembled demonstrators to

gather on a public sidewalk and chant, yell or verbally dissuade people

from patronizing a business, criminalizing free speech, ACLU attorney

Janelle Eurick wrote in a letter to the committee.

West Valley City Democratic Sen. Ed Mayne, who is also president of the

Utah chapter of the AFL-CIO, said he was concerned the bill might also

outlaw strikes or protests. Adair argued his bill only addresses

terrorist acts and not protests, strikes or other legal activity. But

David Berg, of the Utah Animal Rights Coalition, said the bill " is very,

very chilling on all free speech in Utah. "

Arlene Quickstorm, who spoke in favor of the measure, said her friend's

fur shop in downtown Salt Lake City has been targeted for demonstrations

by animal rights activists and the protesters have harassed its

customers. " The continual harassment has all but ruined my friends'

lives. Mentally and emotionally they can't take much more, " she said.

Recommended Posts