TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH HIGH NOON IN PORTLAND
Calling All Concerned Citizens and Activists:
Please join us for a day of action in response to S.1959 The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007.
This bill, introduced on the Senate floor by Susan Collins, uses intentionally ambiguous language and vague definitions to allow the government to label people exercising their First Amendment rights as “violent radicals” as well as empowering the state to target those they feel have an “extremist belief system” as a “homegrown terrorists”.
Often referred to as the “Thought Crime” bill, this murky piece of legislation is another example of how those in Washington would use fear and intimidation to try to silence a citizenry of good will. The bill’s supporters, including Mike Michaud and Tom Allen who voted for the House version, HR. 1955, say not, but the language of S.1959 is an attempt to criminalize dissent. Planning rallies or speak-outs, even just thinking about gathering to protest policies that continue to decimate the planet and diminish our humanity could be considered terrorist activity if this bill passes.
Sanity must prevail and we need to mobilize to say NO!
Our Senators, the media and the general public must hear from us! We need a broad-based coalition of activists, organizers, and concerned citizens, to work together in response to this scary piece of legislation.
Bring your voices and creative energies to Portland on Tuesday, February 19th, for all or part of the day. We will leaflet and hold a press conference in Monument Square at noon followed by street theater, media and congressional office visits throughout the afternoon, and hold a Teach-In and informal networking at the Meg Perry Center in the early evening.
Yes, it’s mid-winter, but by the time the weather warms up it may be too late! Join us! Express your outrage! Bring along your puppetry, banners, song or whatever! Step out and speak up! SAY NO TO THE MADNESS!
For more information or to co-sponsor this event, please contact Maureen Block at 763-3953 or maureenfblock [at] yahoo [dot] com
What? Me worry? YOU BETCHA!!!
