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 Home > News and alerts > You are here: Anti-terrorism bill moving through committees in Washington Anti-terrorism bill moving through committees in Washington (2/6/2004) Washington state residents are fighting back against the dangerous and destructive attacks of animal rights and eco-terrorists upon law abiding citizens. Legislation to penalize the criminals involved in such acts has advanced in the Senate and needs continued support. After being voted out of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Senate Ways and Means Committee heard testimony Thursday on Senate Bill 6114. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Val Stevens, R-Olympia, would help to further identify and prosecute animal rights and ecological terrorists. It calls for greater penalties for those participating in acts of animal and eco-terrorism. Senate Bill 6114 also creates specific penalties for those who finance or assist such acts of terrorism. Animal rights or eco-terrorist organizations would be defined as any entity or coalition that uses fear, intimidation or coercion with the intent to obstruct a person from participating in lawful activities that involve animals or natural resources. During testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, local farmers, sportsmen and law enforcement officials described the devastation inflicted upon the community as a result of animal rights terrorism. Witnesses described the Animal Liberation Front's (ALF) release of 10,000 mink from a farm in Sultan, Washington to protest the fur industry. Although some of the animals were recovered, many were killed by automobiles and others attacked domestic pets at nearby homes. This galling act of animal terrorism was one of many that prompted the creation of SB 6114. According to the FBI, animal and eco-terrorist groups are one of the largest and fastest growing terror threats in the country. They are responsible for $60 million in damages in recent years. Senate Bill 6114 is modeled after the Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act, a draft bill prepared by the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance as a part of a nationwide campaign to end the increasing threat of animal and eco-terrorism. Take Action! Washington sportsmen should contact members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and ask for their support on SB 6114. Senate Ways and Means Committee Members:
CopyrightÓ U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance- www.ussportsmen.org
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