[Peace-discuss] Fwd: Oregon - life imprisonment for protesting

[manni at snafu.de]

Forwarded Message:
> To: portside at yahoogroups.com
> From: portsideMod at netscape.net
> Subject: Oregon - life imprisonment for protesting
> Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2003 03:23:39 -0500
> -----
> "There is a clear and present danger to democracy in Oregon which
> could spread to other states.
> 
> for more information: http://www.aclu-or.org
> 
> [posted by Marta Russell to lbo-talk at lists.panix.com
> 
> Dear friends:  If this bill, which is so dangerous to our basic
> freedoms, can pass in Oregon, it can also happen in California, New
> York, and the entire country.  Wherever you live, I urge you to voice
> your opposition NOW to the Oregon senators listed later in this
> notice, and to forward this information to your network... --- Karil]
> 
> ===============
> 
> From Tom Atlee: http://www.co-intelligence.org/tomatleebio.html
> 
> Dear friends,
> 
> This is serious and urgent.  There is a clear and present danger to
> democracy in Oregon which could spread to other states.
> 
> Senate Bill 742 proposed by Oregon State Senator Minnis (R-Dist. 25 /
> Fairview)(Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee) creates the crime
> of "terrorism" -- punishable by life imprisonment.  Senator Minnis
> defines "terrorism" so broadly that even being present at a
> demonstration that is in any way "disruptive" could result in life
> imprisonment.
> 
> I have given the relevant sections of the bill below, as well as the
> link to the whole bill.  I have also provided information from the
> American Civil Liberties Union regarding this, including contact
> information for the relevant Oregon State Senators.
> 
> Ever since laws began to be passed criminalizing "terrorism," I have
> been concerned that its definition would be expanded to include
> anything that authorities wished to suppress which could then be
> subject to extreme punishment, laying the groundwork for serious
> suppression. It seems that is now happening.  It must be
> energetically nipped in the bud if we are to prevent its spread.
> 
> If this law passes in Oregon, it is highly likely that other states
> will pass similar laws, especially in the current political climate.
> 
> I trust you will act if you feel so moved.  Whether you are an Oregon
> resident or not, you can express your dismay to the Oregon State
> Senators listed below.  If you are an Oregon resident you can, in
> addition, attend a hearing Monday morning Mar 24 in Salem, OR
> (specifics below).
> 
> Coheartedly,
> 
> Tom
> 
> PS:  The law also sets aside (in terrorism cases) two other Oregon
> laws which prevent police from (a) spying on innocent people and
> organizations and (b) apprehending people solely for immigration
> violations.
> 
> ===============
> 
> Excerpts from the proposed law:
> 
> http://pub.das.state.or.us/LEG_BILLS/PDFs/SB742.pdf
> 72nd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2003 Regular Session
> Senate Bill 742
> Sponsored by Senator Minnis
> 
> SUMMARY:  Creates crime of terrorism. Punishes by life imprisonment.
> 
> SECTION 1.
> 
> (1) A person commits the crime of terrorism if the person knowingly
> plans, participates in or carries out any act that is intended, by at
> least one of its participants, to disrupt:
> (a) The free and orderly assembly of the inhabitants of the State of
> Oregon;
> (b) Commerce or the transportation systems of the State of Oregon; or
> (c) The educational or governmental institutions of the State of
> Oregon or its inhabitants.
> 
> (2) A person commits the crime of terrorism if the person conspires
> to do any of the activities described in subsection (1) of this
> section.
> .....
> (4)
> (a) A person convicted of terrorism shall be punished by imprisonment
> for life.
> (b) When a person is convicted of terrorism under this section, the
> court shall order that the person be confined for a minimum of 25
> years without possibility of parole, release to post-prison
> supervision, release on work release or any form of temporary leave
> or employment at a forest or work camp....
> 
> ===============
> 
> An opportunity to make your opinions known:
> <http://www.aclu-or.org/issues/terrorism/SB742.htm>
> 
> Senate Bill 742
> 
> SB 742, introduced by Senator John Minnis (R-Gresham) is set for a
> hearing before Senate Judiciary (the committee Senator Minnis chairs)
> on Monday, March 24 at 8:00 a.m. Room 343.
> 
> The bill creates the crime of "terrorism" and defines it so broadly
> that individuals would be subject to life in prison if any other
> participant in the same group intended to disrupt commerce,
> transportation, educational, or governmental institutions (such as,
> strikes, protests, student food fights).
> 
> More importantly, under section 2 it would also allow state and local
> law enforcement to ignore both ORS 181.575 and ORS 181.850 if they
> are investigating "terrorism".
> 
> ORS 181.575 prohibits law enforcement agencies from collecting or
> maintaining information about the political, religious, social views,
> associations or activities of any person or group unless that
> information directly relates to a criminal investigation.  ORS
> 181.850 prohibits local law enforcement from using resources to
> apprehend people whose only offense is a federal immigration
> violation.  The law allows state and local law enforcement to contact
> the INS after they have arrested someone.  The law also permits state
> and local police to request information from the INS that may help
> solve a criminal case. To allow an exception to ORS 181.575 & ORS
> 181.850 unravels the protections these laws provide!
> 
> For more background on these "181" laws that need protection, please
> read the "181 Campaign Talking Points." <
> http://www.aclu-or.org/issues/terrorism/181/181challenges.html>
> 
> To see all the groups supporting protecting the 181 laws, take a look
> at the 181 Campaign Coalition. <
> http://www.aclu-or.org/issues/terrorism/181/181coalition.htm>
> 
> TAKE ACTION NOW!
> 
> CALL OR WRITE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE JUDICIARY and let them 
know you
> OPPOSE SB 742.  We've also included the Senate Democratic 
leadership
> so you can share your position with them. Here's the contact
> information:
> 
> Senator John Minnis, Chair (R)
> District: 25
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1725
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE S-311, Salem Or 97301
> Email Address: sen.johnminnis at state.or.us
> Web page Address: http://www.leg.state.or.us/minnisj/Senator
> 
> Senator Ted Ferrioli (R)
> District: 30
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1730
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE S-217, Salem Or 97301
> Email Address: sen.tedferrioli at state.or.us
> Web page Address: http://www.leg.state.or.us/ferrioli/Senator
> 
> Senator Charles Starr (R)
> District: 13
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1713
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE S-312, Salem Or 97301
> Email Address: sen.charlesstarr at state.or.us
> Web page Address: http://www.leg.state.or.us/starrc/
> 
> Senator Ginny Burdick, Vice-Chair (D)
> District: 18
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1718
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE S-317, Salem Or 97301
> Email Address: sen.ginnyburdick at state.or.us
> Web page Address: http://www.leg.state.or.us/burdick/
> 
> Senator Charlie Ringo (D)
> District: 17
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1717
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE S-314 Salem, OR 97301
> Email Address: sen.charlieringo at state.or.us
> Web page Address: http://www.leg.state.or.us/ringo/
> 
> Senator Vicki Walker (D)
> District: 7
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1707
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE S-210, Salem Or 97301
> Email Address: sen.vickiwalker at state.or.us
> Web page Address: http://www.leg.state.or.us/walker/
> 
> Senate Leadership:
> 
> Senate President Peter Courtney (D)
> District: 11
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1600
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE S-203, Salem Or 97301
> Email Address: sen.petercourtney at state.or.us
> Web page Address: http://www.leg.state.or.us/senate/senpres
> 
> Senator Kate Brown, Democrat Leader
> District: 21 Capitol Phone: 503-986-1700
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE S-323, Salem Or 97301
> Capitol Fax:503-986-1080
> Email Address: sen.katebrown at state.or.us
> Web page Address: http://www.leg.state.or.us/brown/
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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