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

[Laurie Solomon]

This only formalizes what has been taking place informally for years now with the courts frequently turning a blind eye in the name of national security or practicality.  Like war expenditures and intelligence operations which are off-budget, the hidden informal criminalization of political speech and humanitarian aid has been off-legal record.


From: John W. 
Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 3:41 PM
To: Peace-discuss 
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Fwd: TEST Supreme Court Permits Criminalization ofPolitical Speech and Humanitarian Aid



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



     
          
      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, 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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