On Thursday, February 19, 2015, attorneys for animal rights activists will argue for a motion to dismiss the indictment charging them with violating the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA). The motion asserts that the AETA is unconstitutional.
Michael Deutsch of People’s Law Office represents Kevin Johnson, one of the two activists. Kevin is also represented by National Lawyers Guild member Lillian McCartin and Rachel Meerpool of Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR). Tyler Lang is represented by Geoffry Meyer of the Federal Defender Program.
The motion will be argued by Rachel Meerpool of CCR, who has represented other animal rights activists who have challenged AETA.
Kevin and Tyler are both animal rights activists and were indicted in July. The government alleges that last year they released mink from a fur farm in rural Illinois and conspired to release fox from another fur farm. The government claims that this non-violent act of releasing animals constitutes “terrorism.” They each face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Details for Argument:
Thursday, February 19 at 10 am.
Dirksen Federal Building
219 S. Dearborn, Chicago, IL
Judge Amy St. Eve, Courtroom 1241
Everyone entering the building must go through a metal detector and show a state-issued ID.
For More Information on this case and the AETA:
US v. Johnson case documents
Indictment
Motion to Dismiss
Government Response to Motion
Reply to Government’s Response
Background info from People’s Law Office
Read more about our work fighting political repression and representing activists and our representation of Scott DeMuth, who was charged under the AEPA.
For more of our analysis of the impact of AETA, read “AETA and the Criminalization of a Movement”
From CCR
“Freeing Animals is Not ‘Terrorism’”
Case page: US v. Johnson
