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

[Jenifer Cartwright]

Worst of all, it was a 6-3 vote. Even Stevens disappointed on this one. Bad days ahead...

--- On Mon, 6/21/10, Laurie Solomon <ls1000 at live.com> wrote:

From: Laurie Solomon <ls1000 at live.com>
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Fw: Fwd: TEST Supreme Court Permits Criminalization ofPolitical Speech and Humanitarian Aid
To: "peace-discuss" <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>, "Wason. John" <jbw292002 at gmail.com>
Date: Monday, June 21, 2010, 6:24 PM



 
 


 
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
      
      
     
    
      
        
        
          
            Connect with CCR online...  
 
        
          
     
     

  
  
     
    
      Forward this to 
      a friend!
      
      This 
      email was sent to the address: jbw292002 at gmail.com.
      
      Click here to unsubscribe from CCR Emails.
     
  
     
    Center for Constitutional 
      Rights ll 666 Broadway 7th floor NY, NY 10012 ll 212-614-6464 ll www.ccrjustice.org 
      
     
  
     
     
     

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