New Oregon Bill - Protesters Considered 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 (news - web sites), 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 (news - web sites) 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 (news - web sites) (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.

25 years is pretty extreme, it will never pass. Supreme Court would knock it down, and rightfully so.

Start talking 25 days and they might be on to something...

people who block traffic should be beaten first, then thrown in jail.

Ohh
and you still think its a theory that the Gov is trying to take over?

This is a good bill.

Not sure you guys remember what happened to me in downtown Portland a few weeks ago due to protestors.

Portland is bad when it comes to this kind of protestor thing.

They should be put to sleep.

Didn't find this on Reuters. Do you have a link?

Yep.

Sentences longer than murder sentences? Will never float.

Good, maybe now i can make it from D.C. to Jersey in less than 10 hours

I never did understand why Senators poison a good bill with ridiculous punishments. This will get shot down and thrown out the door. It's a good idea, but somebody got a little sentence happy.

This bill is bs and would never make it out of the State Senate or house, plus our good Democratic Gov. would never sign it.

Just some right wing republican part time politician trying to make a name.

Oregon by far is a very liberal state.

are you nuts????

jails are overcrowded the way they are,
just round them up and ship to Syria
;-))

...and one of the poorest in the Union

Todd, I am now Oregonian by osmosis,
fuck off!
;-)))))

Serge,


you are correct that we have a very bad economy here right now, and one of the worst unemployment crisis in the nation.

Our Silicon forest has laid off so many, i.e. Intel, HP, etc, etc


Of course your darling wife comes from here and hopefully still loves our state :)