[Peace-discuss] Fwd: TEST Supreme Court Permits Criminalization of Political Speech and Humanitarian Aid

[John W.]

Another interesting legal development in the War on (Some) Terror...



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Annette Dickerson, CCR <alerts at ccrjustice.org>
Date: Mon, Jun 21, 2010 at 3:07 PM
Subject: TEST Supreme Court Permits Criminalization of Political Speech and
Humanitarian Aid


  [image: center for constitutional rights logo]

Dear Supporter:

*Today, the United States Supreme Court rejected the Center for
Constitutional Rights' (CCR) challenge against the criminalization of
political speech and humanitarian aid. *In *Holder v. Humanitarian Law
Project*<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=i%2FC3Z93sV8McsGKrdHsCKXZjIMnQsGz5>,
CCR challenged the constitutionality of a law that makes it a crime to
provide "material support" to groups designated by the U.S. government as
"foreign terrorist organizations."

The decision marks the first time that the Supreme Court has held that the
First Amendment permits Congress to make pure speech advocating lawful,
nonviolent activity-human rights advocacy and peacemaking-a crime. Doing so
can land a citizen in prison for 15 years, all in the name of "fighting
terrorism."

Our clients are humanitarian organizations that sought to provide training
in human rights enforcement and nonviolent conflict resolution to groups
blacklisted by the government.

The Court's ruling leaves it unclear whether publishing an op-ed or
submitting an amicus brief in court arguing that a group does not belong on
the list is a criminal act is prohibited. *What is clear is that the **Court's
decision is likely to cast a broad chill over political speech and the
activities of humanitarian groups and journalists. *

This was the first case to challenge a portion of the Patriot Act before the
Supreme Court. *Though we expect that our fight will shift from the courts
to Congress,* *CCR intends to continue our struggle against the
criminalization of humanitarian aid and political speech.*

We'll keep you informed at the next opportunity to pressure your
representatives to take action where the Supreme Court failed to do so.*  *We
thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,
Annette Dickerson
Director of Education and Outreach



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