An act of distinction

摘要

When prosecutors in California charged four animal-rights activists with violations of the 2008 federal Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) last year, they were vague about the actions involved - which is why the indictment was dismissed on 12 July. The act criminalizes "a course of conduct involving threats, acts of vandalism, property damage, criminal trespass, harassment, or intimidation" if it places individuals who work with animals, or their families, in fear for their lives or safety. Federal judge Ronald Whyte of the Northern California district court in San Jose said that prosecutors had not explained what the activists had done to cross a line.