Talking Points:

      1)      The penalties are so harsh, that they would have a chilling effect for even "peaceful" demonstrations.

2)      If you are ever arrested, and a court decides to throw out the indictment, your reputation in the community will have been ruined -- you will be known as a "terrorist" -- no one is going to want to risk being arrested and branded a "terrorist" even if they win in the end. It will be a hollow victory.

3)      The penalties are being heaped on a group that is being singled out - animal advocates

4)      Penalties already exist for each offense outlined in the bills

5)      Any exemptions under Section (e) are merely placebos - do not be lulled into complacency by seeing these exemptions stated. If one gets wrongfully arrested by the police officer and gets wrongfully indicted, the damage to one's reputation is done.

6)      It is legislating prior restraint

7)      It violates free speech because it is a content-based prohibition

8)      Anyone engaging in non-violent civil disobedience (even if you think it's a peaceful demonstration) is a terrorist

9)      This will create a slippery slope whereby any unfavorable group will be called a terrorist, not just animal advocates.

10)  No attention has been given to stiffen penalties to corporations who violate the Animal Welfare Act, nor a private cause of action so that citizens like you and me can compel the USDA to enforce the AWA.

For these reasons and more, this bill should be DISAPPROVED