Reject criminalizing peaceful protest through anti-terrorism laws

The proposed legislation to designate certain protest groups as "domestic terrorist organizations" and prosecute them under federal racketeering laws is an attack on the constitutional right to peacefully assemble and voice dissent. It threatens to criminalize lawful protest activities under the guise of addressing violence and property damage associated with a small fraction of demonstrations. This draconian measure would have a profoundly chilling effect on citizens exercising their First Amendment freedoms to petition the government for redress of grievances. I urge you to reject this egregious overreach that undermines core democratic values and civil liberties. There are already laws on the books to prosecute individuals who engage in violence and property destruction - we do not need a sweeping new law that risks labeling entire protest movements as criminal enterprises.