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Last night we received exciting news that the Libel Terrorism Protection Act unanimously passed the New York State Legislature yesterday. The bill initially passed the Assembly, but was then delayed for several weeks in the Senate. Support for the legislation poured in from organizations around the country, including ours, who are concerned about free speech and press rights. I sent a personal letter of support for the bill. In response to the various action alerts we sent out, many ACT! for America members contacted the State Legislature, and thousands of ACT! for America members and supporters signed a petition which we submitted to Assemblyman Rory Lancman's office. We should all be thankful for the vision and hard work of the bill's two initial sponsors, Assemblyman Lancman and State Senator Dean Skelos. And I want to express to you how grateful I am for each and every one of you who took action on behalf of this very important piece of legislation. You helped make a difference on this bill! Yesterday I sent you an email highlighting what some of our chapters are doing around the country. On Friday I sent you an email recounting how one of our supporters helped us expose RevolutionMuslim.com. Today I have the privilege of informing you that our actions have helped bring about passage of landmark legislation that will protect American journalists and authors from overseas defamation lawsuits. As I write this, the ACT! for America staff is working behind the scenes putting the pieces together for our ambitious 120 day plan. You have helped make this momentum possible! The time and financial resources you give to this organization are making possible our ability to make a powerful difference on many fronts at the same time. Thank you so much, my dear friends! You make me feel so proud to be an American. So whenever you read bad news about the advance of Islamofascism, just remember -- together, we are rising in defense of the America we love. Together, we are advancing, not retreating! Together, we are not powerless. With your continued help and support, we will continue to grow and chalk up more and more victories in our mission to roll back the tide of Islamofascism, in whatever form it takes. With all my thanks, Brigitte Gabriel Legislature Passes Libel Terrorism Protection Act To Protect American Journalists and Authors From Overseas Defamation Lawsuits Albany, NY (March 31, 2008) - The New York State Legislature today unanimously passed the "Libel Terrorism Protection Act" (S.6687/A.9652), sponsored by Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Queens) and Senate Deputy Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos (R-Rockville Centre). When signed into law by Governor David Paterson, this legislation will protect American journalists and authors from foreign lawsuits that infringe on their First Amendment rights. In Ehrenfeld v. Mahout, New York State's highest court held that it would not protect Dr. Ehrenfeld from a British lawsuit filed by Saudi billionaire Khalid Salim Bin Mahfouz, where she was ordered to pay over $225,000 in damages and legal fees to Bin Mahfouz, as well as apologize and destroy existing copies of her books. Dr. Ehrenfeld sought a court order in November of 2006 to protect her constitutional rights, but in a ruling with national First Amendment implications which sent legal shockwaves throughout newsrooms across America, as well as potentially undermining our ability to expose terrorism's financial and logistical support networks, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that it does not have jurisdiction to protect Americans - on U.S. soil - from foreign defamation judgments, which contradict the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Libel Terrorism Protection Act declares overseas defamation judgments unenforceable in New York unless the foreign defamation law provides, in substance and application, the same free speech protections guaranteed under our own constitution, and it gives New York residents and publishers the opportunity to have their day in court here in New York. "This is a great day for free speech and freedom of the press, and I urge Governor Paterson to quickly sign this legislation into law. This law will protect our journalists and authors from trumped up libel charges in kangaroo courts in overseas jurisdictions which don't share our commitment to free speech and freedom of the press," said Lancman. "This law will give New York's journalists, authors and press the protection and tools they need to continue to fearlessly expose the truth about terrorism and its enablers, and to maintain New York's place as the free speech capitol of the world," Lancman concluded. Lancman's remarks on the Assembly floor are viewable here. "The truth is a critically-important component in the War on Terror," said Senator Skelos. "This important new law will protect American authors and journalists who expose terrorist networks and their financiers. In its decision, the Court of Appeals called upon the State Legislature to revise the law. Today, we made clear that New York State will safeguard the First Amendment and these courageous writers." ##### ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ACT for America is an issues advocacy organization dedicated to effectively organizing and mobilizing the most powerful grassroots citizen action network in America, a grassroots network committed to informed and coordinated civic action that will lead to public policies that promote America's national security and the defense of American democratic values against the assault of radical Islam. We are only as strong as our supporters, and your volunteer and financial support is essential to our success. Thank you for helping us make America safer and more secure. HOW CAN I TELL OTHERS ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION? Send a personalized version of this message to your friends. HOW CAN I SUPPORT YOUR ORGANIZATION? Click here to give an online donation. |