Odette Wilkens of the Equal Justice Alliance will speak at Chicago-Kent College of Law about the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act.
Passed by Congress in November 2006, the AETA is aimed at suppressing speech and advocacy surrounding certain industries by criminalizing First Amendment-protected activities such as protests, boycotts, picketing and whistle-blowing. The statute punishes anyone found to have caused the loss of property or profits by a business or other institution that uses or sells animals (or animal products), or has “a connection to, relationship with, or transactions with an animal enterprise.”
Ms. Wilkens will speak about how the AETA presents legal challenges for activists and the ongoing challenge to its constitutionality. The event is free and open to the public. It will be held on April 9, 2013 from noon to 1:00 pm in Room C40 of Chicago-Kent College of Law, located at 565 W. Adams St.
