> Oregon Law Would Jail War Protesters as Terrorists
>
>
> PORTLAND, Oregon (Reuters) - An Oregon anti-terrorism bill would jail
> street-blocking protesters for at least 25 years in a thinly veiled effort
> to discourage anti-war demonstrations, critics say.
>
> The bill has met strong opposition but lawmakers still expect a debate on
> the definition of terrorism and the value of free speech before a vote by
> the state senate judiciary committee, whose Chairman, Republican Senator
> John Minnis, wrote the proposed legislation.
>
> Dubbed Senate Bill 742, it identifies a terrorist as a person who "plans
or
> participates in an act that is intended, by at least one of its
> participants, to disrupt" business, transportation, schools, government,
or
> free assembly.
>
> The bill's few public supporters say police need stronger laws to break up
> protests that have created havoc in cities like Portland, where thousands
> of people have marched and demonstrated against war in Iraq since last
fall.
>
> "We need some additional tools to control protests that shut down the
> city," said Lars Larson, a conservative radio talk show host who has
> aggressively stumped for the bill.
>
> Larson said protesters should be protected by free speech laws, but not
> given free reign to hold up ambulances or frighten people out of their
> daily routines, adding that police and the court system could be trusted
to
> see the difference.
>
> "Right now a group of people can get together and go downtown and block a
> freeway," Larson said. "You need a tool to deal with that."
>
> The bill contains automatic sentences of 25 years to life for the crime of
> terrorism.
>
> Critics of the bill say its language is so vague it erodes basic freedoms
> in the name of fighting terrorism under an extremely broad definition.
>
> "Under the original version (terrorism) meant essentially a food fight,"
> said Andrea Meyer of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which
> opposes the bill.
>
> Police unions and minority groups also oppose the bill for fear it could
> have a chilling effect on relations between police and poor people,
> minorities, children and "vulnerable" populations.
>
> Legislators say the bill stands little chance of passage.
>
> "I just don't think this bill is ever going to get out of committee," said
> Democratic Senator Vicki Walker, one of four members on the six-person
> panel who have said they oppose the legislation.
>
> (source: Reuters)