[PAA-Discuss] Fwd: [amnestyhouston] URGENT: The "Anti-Protest Bill" HR 347 Imperils First Amendment Rights: Let's get it changed!

[rebelljb at aol.com]

-----Original Message-----
From: dpatwood <dpatwood at igc.org>
To: dpatwood <dpatwood at igc.org>
Sent: Sun, Nov 18, 2012 6:01 pm
Subject: [amnestyhouston] URGENT: The "Anti-Protest Bill" HR 347 
Imperils First Amendment Rights: Let's get it changed!






 

 













HR 347                   limits our ability to protest by making 
"disruptive" behavior                   a felony. Help us stop it now!









Sign the                         Petition!








Dear Mr. Atwood,
Imagine an America in which the government can deny protest in any 
public space it deems fit. Where wearing a dissenting shirt around an 
elected official could be construed as a felony. Where First-Amendment 
protections become privileges subjectively doled out by the state. 
Sadly, that America is pretty much here.

In March, Congress passed HR 347, a bill that limits Americans' ability 
to protest in public and on government grounds. Mainstream media didn't 
raise peep, but now there's finally some anger building. The bill, 
passed almost unanimously, makes it a federal offense punishable by up 
to ten years in prison to "knowingly" protest in the vicinity of the 
Secret Service--that is anywhere the Secret Service "is or will be 
temporarily visiting."

It also makes many public events impervious to lawful protest. Any 
"National Security Special Event" (NSSE) requires Secret Service 
protection. NSSE-designated events have proliferated since 9/11 to 
include Super Bowls, concerts, campaign events, and now any public 
event that Very Important People want protest-free. 

Most dangerously, it criminalizes protest. Under the bill, "disorderly 
or disruptive conduct" or activities that "impede or disrupt the 
orderly conduct of Government business or official functions" could 
warrant felony charges. What constitutes such "disruptive 
conduct" rests in the eye of the beholder--or the eye of Eric Holder. 
To put it plainly: the government can decide where and when free speech 
is allowed and severely prosecute any "disruptive" activity, 
while we're confined to "free speech zones." We can help fix it, 
however! Join our petition below to protect our speech rights!

PETITION TO CONGRESS: We treasure our first amendment rights of free 
speech and public assembly! HR 347 limits valid arenas of peaceful 
public protest, and broadens the government's ability to curtail civil 
liberties. We demand that Congress amend the bill to provide clearer 
language as to what constitutes "disruptions"; to allow for 
reasonable, peaceful protest at NSSEs and around Secret Service; and to 
ensure that no peaceful protest can ever be deemed a felony.
SIGN THIS PETITION
Thanks,
-- The folks at Watchdog.net
P.S. If the other links aren't working for you, please go here to sign: 
http://act.watchdog.net/petitions/963?n=3608375.yuyrw0

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