Libel Terrorism Protection Act

This comes from ACT for America and I felt the need to forward it on.

We are concerned with the bi-partisan "Libel Terrorism Protection Act," introduced in the New York Assembly and Senate by Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D) and Senator Dean Skelos (R). This bill has been introduced to protect New York authors who investigate and expose the enablers of terrorism from libel lawsuits filed in foreign courts.

Dr. Rachel Ehrenfeld, author of Funding Evil: How Terrorism is Financed - And How to Stop It, was the target of one of those lawsuits. The wealthy Saudi who filed the lawsuit against Dr. Ehrenfeld in the United Kingdom has successfully silenced more than 40 authors and publishers, including many Americans. If these lawsuits are allowed to continue, the ramifications for our cherished freedoms of speech and the press are chilling and ominous. The sooner "The Libel Terrorism Protection Act," is signed into law, the sooner New York - the publishing capital of the U.S. and the free world - and New York authors will be protected from merit less and frivolous libel suits filed in foreign jurisdictions.

The "Libel Terrorism Protection Act" directly affects me. My first book, Because They Hate, was published by a New York publisher. My second book, scheduled for release later this year, will be published by that same New York publisher. Passage of this New York law will bring much-needed legal protection to the work I am doing. If you agree that this protection is essential to preserve the ability of authors like myself to speak out on matters of terrorism, please carefully read the action items below and then ACT! today. Thank you!

ACTION ITEMS
If the links don't work, please just Google to get this information!

1. For those of you who live in New York state, please contact your Assembly Member and State Senator today. Contact them either by phone or email or both. Tell them you are calling in support of the "Libel Terrorism Protection Act," bill number A9652, and ask for their support of the bill. The links below will take you to a listing of New York's Assembly Members and Senators

In addition, if you have time, contact the Chairperson of the Judiciary Committees in both the Assembly and the Senate. The bill has been referred to these committees. Ask for the chairperson’s support for the bill. The links below will take you to the chair persons of the Assembly and Senate Judiciary Committees:
Helene E. Weinstein (Assembly)
John A. DeFrancisco (Senate)

Write a short letter to the Editor of your local newspaper, explaining the background of the bill and why it's needed. Elected officials usually monitor letters to the editor as one way to keep their fingers on the local pulse.

2. For those of you who do not live in New York state, please contact the two Judiciary chair persons identified above. When you do, emphasize how important this bill is, that it is a model for other states and the federal government, and thus it has national implications - which is why you, a resident of a state other than New York, are contacting them. You, too, could send letters to the editor of New York newspapers. This would demonstrate to the press, public and New York legislators that “the nation is watching."

3. Forward this email to other people you know, using the forwarding link at the bottom.

It is critical that we help get this legislation passed. We cannot allow those involved in terrorism to succeed in silencing those who would expose their activities. Please ACT! today. And if you can financially help us make this nationwide grassroots lobbying effort successful, please click here.

Thank you for your support and your activism.
Brigitte Gabriel, Founder and President
Guy Rodgers, Executive Director