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

[Belden Fields]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Annette Dickerson, CCR" <alerts at ccrjustice.org>
> Date: June 21, 2010 3:06:27 PM CDT
> To: a-fields at uiuc.edu
> Subject: TEST Supreme Court Permits Criminalization of Political  
> Speech and Humanitarian Aid
> Reply-To: alerts at ccrjustice.org
>

>  	 	
>
> 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: a-fields at uiuc.edu.
>
>
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>
>  	Center for Constitutional Rights ll 666 Broadway 7th floor NY, NY  
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>  	 	
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