VIDEO (MUST-SEE): "HOMEGROWN TERRORISM PREVENTION ACT" RAISES FEARS OF U.S. DISSENT CRACKDOWN

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(Includes important discussion of how Critical Mass cyclists or Code Pink mothers could be arrested under this proposed legislation, which--unbelievable as it seems--almost ALL of our Democratic representatives voted for in the House! If this isn't Nazi Germany taking root in the United States, then what is? --RD)

A little-noticed anti-terrorism bill quietly making its through Congress is raising fears of a new affront on activism and constitutional rights. The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act was passed in an overwhelming 400 to six House vote last month. Critics say it could herald a new government crackdown on dissident activity and infiltration of universities under the guise of fighting terrorism. The bill would establish two government-appointed bodies to study, monitor and propose ways of curbing what it calls homegrown terrorism and extremism in the United States. The first body, a National Commission, would convene for eighteen months. A university-based "Center for Excellence" would follow, bringing together academic specialists to recommend laws and other measures.

Critics say the bill's definition of "extremism" and "terrorism" is too vague and its mandate even more broad. Under a false veil of expertise and independence, the government-appointed commissions could be used as ideological cover to push through harsher laws.

Following last month's approval in the House, the Senate version is expected to go before the Judiciary Committee this week.

With analysis by:

--Jessica Lee, reporter for the Indypendent, published by the NYC Indymedia Center. Her latest article is called "Bringing the War on Terrorism Home: Congress Considers How to 'Disrupt' Radical Movements in the United States"

--Kamau Karl Franklin, Racial Justice Fellow at the NY-based Center for Constitutional Rights. He is also co-chair of the National Conference of Black Lawyers and serves on the Executive Committee of the National Lawyers Guild.

MORE (video, transcript):
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/11/20/1458214

[LSparkle]

1. OMG, someone needs to ask our candidates about this

"Homegrown" terrorism? Like the fools in Miami or the guy in Oregon or even Jose Padilla (was anything ever PROVED about that "dirty bomb"?). They're creating a threat that hasn't been proven to exist ... ????

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2. EXACTLY. This bill needs to be stopped IMMEDIATELY.

Time to program our elected officials' phone numbers into speed dial on our cell phones and LET THEM HEAR ABOUT IT.

[T Wolf]

3. If this would be used to take down the right-wing wackos, it might have

some saving grace. But you know that it does not apply to the Klan, GOP, or Aryan nation - only Code Pink, MoveOn, etc.

When it passes, and you know it will, I would love to see it used against the pukes & their campus thugs and the anti-immigrant racists. But I do not have any faith that a Democratic administration would take advantage of it - they would just continue to kill any progressive group that dares protest the corporate agenda.

[Ignoramus]

4. Example 10 zillion of why democrats are your enemy as much as republicans

400 to 6...

[Subdivisions]

5. Another discussion here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=2305406

This legislation is scary.

[redacted]

7. Thanks Texas Explorer

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6. .

[MsRedacted]

8. kick