Who's A Terrorist Just Got Expanded
Via Lisa Simeone, Will Potter writes at GreenIsTheNewRed that even peaceful animal rights protesters can be prosecuted as terrorists:

The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force has kept files on activists who expose animal welfare abuses on factory farms and recommended prosecuting them as terrorists, according to a new document uncovered through the Freedom of Information Act.

This new information comes as the Center for Constitutional Rights has filed a lawsuit challenging the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) as unconstitutional because its vague wording has had a chilling effect on political activism. This document adds to the evidence demonstrating that the AETA goes far beyond property destruction, as its supporters claim.

The 2003 FBI file details the work of several animal rights activists who used undercover investigation to document repeated animal welfare violations. The FBI special agent who authored the report said they "illegally entered buildings owned by [redacted] Farm... and videotaped conditions of animals."

The animal activists caused "economic loss" to businesses, the FBI says. And they also openly rescued several animals from the abusive conditions. This was not done covertly in the style of underground groups like the Animal Liberation Front -- it was an act of non-violent civil disobedience and, as the FBI agent notes, the activists distributed press releases and conducted media interviews taking responsibility for their actions.

From the link above:

Representative Bobby Scott, a Democrat from Virginia, acknowledged that this "terrorism" law could still target non-violent civil disobedience. "... there are some who conscientiously believe that it is their duty to peacefully protest the operation of animal enterprises to the extent of engaging in civil disobedience," he said. "If a group's intention were to stage a sit-in or liedown or to block traffic to a targeted facility, they certainly run the risk of arrest for whatever traffic, trespass or other laws they may be breaking...

"To violate the provision of the bill, one must travel or otherwise engage in interstate activity with the intent to cause damage or loss to an animal enterprise. While the losses of profits, lab experiments or other intangible losses are included, it must be proved that such losses were specifically intended for the law to be applied."

In other words, those "who conscientiously believe that it is their duty to peacefully protest" through civil disobedience could be labeled terrorists. But only if they intended to make a difference.

Posted by steak lover Amy Alkon -- just in case anybody thinks I have a soft spot for tofu. Well, I do -- in a dumpster on soft bed of rotting trash, where anything that tastes like tofu belongs.