Activists vs. Protest Law

Yesterday, five animal-rights activists represented by the Center for Constitutional Rights filed a lawsuit in federal court arguing that the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act is unconstitutional and should be repealed. The AETA classifies any actions that result in a loss of profits for businesses that use or sell animal products, such as fur protests or undercover investigations, to be treated as terrorism. Although the law is enforced infrequently, the plaintiffs argue that it has led many activists to avoid legal protest out of fear of prosecution. Staff attorney Rachel Meeropol tells The Washington Post that the law prohibits protests that are protected by the First Amendment.