Forum Post: HR 347-Eroding the First Amendment-Sign Petition to Congress
Posted 11 years ago on Dec. 7, 2012, 12:06 a.m. EST by rayolite
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In March, Congress passed HR 347, a bill that limits Americans ' ability to protest in public and on government grounds. Mainstream media didn 't raise peep, but now there 's finally some anger building. The bill, passed almost unanimously, makes it a federal offense punishable by up to ten years in prison to "knowingly" protest in the vicinity of the Secret Service--that is anywhere the Secret Service "is or will be temporarily visiting."
It also makes many public events impervious to lawful protest. Any "National Security Special Event" (NSSE) requires Secret Service protection. NSSE-designated events have proliferated since 9/11 to include Super Bowls, concerts, campaign events, and now any public event that Very Important People want protest-free.
Most dangerously, it criminalizes protest. Under the bill, "disorderly or disruptive conduct" or activities that "impede or disrupt the orderly conduct of Government business or official functions" could warrant felony charges. What constitutes such "disruptive conduct" rests in the eye of the beholder--or the eye of Eric Holder. To put it plainly: the government can decide where and when free speech is allowed and severely prosecute any "disruptive" activity, while we 're confined to "free speech zones." We can help fix it, however! Join our petition below to protect our speech rights!
PETITION TO CONGRESS: We treasure our first amendment rights of free speech and public assembly! HR 347 limits valid arenas of peaceful public protest, and broadens the government 's ability to curtail civil liberties. We demand that Congress amend the bill to provide clearer language as to what constitutes "disruptions"; to allow for reasonable, peaceful protest at NSSEs and around Secret Service; and to ensure that no peaceful protest can ever be deemed a felony. Sign this petition now.
Signed and tweeted. Do not let our rights be taken away.
Each occupier needs to protect their right to protest by signing.
Always mention sponsors of these unconstitutional laws: Representative Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) in the House of Representatives and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). Make it personal.
"H.R. 347 (and it's companion senate bill S. 1794); aka the "Federal Restricted Buildings and Grounds Improvement Act of 2011." Sounding more like an appropriations bill authorizing monies for federal grounds LANDSCAPING--this bill, better known to those in the DC beltway as the 'Trespass Bill'--potentially makes peaceable protest anywhere in the U.S.--a federal felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
The legislators responsible for bringing this legislative excrement to life are Representative Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) in the House of Representatives and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT.) leading the Senate version.
Rep. Thomas Rooney--HR 347 Sponsor...
Rep. Rooney, the proud sponsor of HR 347 has served in the Army as a JAG Corps attorney. Since 2002 he has taught law at West Point with his specialty being Criminal Law and--Constitutional Law. Ironically, this 'constitutional law' professor has no qualms criminalizing protest and free speech. [The rogue and lawless, torturing, drone terrorizing, woman and baby killing Pentagon in action.]
H.R. 347 & Senate Companion Bill S. 1794--Criminalizing protest and free speech..." http://www.nationofchange.org/hr-347-s-1794-aka-trespass-bill-2011-criminalizes-protest-1331140068
"Some speculate the bill is an attempt, at least in part, to silence and intimidate the Occupy Movement that began with Occupy Wall Street." http://www.examiner.com/article/hr-347-threatens-freedom-of-assembly-restricts-political-protest
I agree. OWS signaled the nwo efforts at hijacking constitutional rights. Good call on providing the identity of the sponsors. I've seen local law enforcement react the same way.
Drum circles are protests now and worthy of strong law enforcement control. Any gathering of counter culture is a signal.
I tend to think of my allies rather than the other guys.
Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) must be a conditioned fascist taking part in the activities you indicate because those things are completely incompatible with each other.
Article V is the only real answer.
The problem with an Article V convention, as I see it, is that the other side is in lockstep organization, we're like a herd of cats.
Which is exactly why we ignore them and focus on constitutional intent. Defining that intent is something only WE can do, rightfully. ALL OF THEIR OFFICES are dedicated to constitutional intent. We have every right to see them AFFIRM that they know what constitutional intent is.
To be afraid of Article V at this point is to give up on the constitution because there is no other way to assure it is observed.
I'm trying to get DKAtoday to show other wise here.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/our-turn-a-message-to-all-americans/#comment-892983
IF Americans ignore the BS politics and focus on preparatory amendment THEN we will be organized in lockstep WITH the law of the land behind us, and the other side is supposed to be dedicated to it, if they are officials.
We test them, the unconstitutional fail, they are replaced, we do Article V properly because preparatory amendment enables it. This is fundamental strategy that is uncompromising AND makes sense under existing controlling laws.