Action Alerts: |
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The Alliance For A Clean Environment |
URGENT! ACT TODAY! SB 1257 makes it a criminal act to express an opinion on an environmental or natural resource issue, if it results in the interruption of business that results in a loss of revenue. In addition to criminal penalties, the bill would require restitution to the business for lost revenues. SB 1257 is legislation which is obviously designed to have a chilling effect on citizen activism. Mothers, Fathers, and others all over our state, who are trying to get a polluting company to clean up their operations might find themselves hauled into court, charged with "environmental harassment." SB 1257 is an obvious attempt to capitalize on public concern in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks. The term "environmental terrorism" created the impression that the bill's focus was on violent activities undertaken in the name of the environment. This is not the case. We are concerned that polluter or developer interests might try to seek prosecution of people who organize consumer boycotts or other currently lawful activities that are done in order to express an environmental position, but might result in a loss of revenues to the offending business interests. ACE and its members do not engage in or support acts of violence or destruction of property whether they are done in the name of the environment or any other cause. There are already laws against violence and property destruction. ACE does believe that PEACEFUL PROTEST NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED AS FREEDOM OF SPEECH! SB 1257 has already passed the Senate. Our very own Senator James Gerlach voted for it. Obviously he and the other senators who voted for this bill are willing to take away your right to freedom of speech in order to protect the profits of polluting industries, even if those profits are at the public's expense. SB 1257 is now in the PA House of Representatives. Message to Chairmen in House of Representatives: VOTE NO to SB 1257 Please do no take away our freedom of speech. Please do not deny us the right to speak out to protect our families' air, water, soil, food, and health. Please share this message with all members. Send Message To: Majority Chairman Honorable Art Hershey Suite 202, Room 214 Ryan Office Building Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020 (717) 783-6435 Fax (717) 705-1868 (610) 593-6565 Fax (610) 593-7041 Minority Chairman Representative Camille "Bud" George House Box 202020 House of Representatives Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020 Fax (717) 783-8236 This bill must be stopped! Please ACT NOW! Please e-mail everyone you can to send this message too!
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