I am delighted to invite you to “Defending the Right to Protest: Anti-Boycott Bills and the Role of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)” on Monday, October 2, 2023 at 5:30pm Eastern. This is a special event co-sponsored by Common Cause, The Center for Media and Democracy, and Just Vision, hosted by Greenpeace USA at 1300 I Street NW, Washington, DC. The evening event will include a screening of Just Vision’s award-winning documentary, Boycott, followed by an intimate conversation with Julia Bacha, Boycott’s Director and Just Vision’s Creative Director, Alan Leveritt, Boycott protagonist and publisher of The Arkansas Times, and David Armiak, Research Director and Investigative Reporter with the Center for Media and Democracy. The discussion will be moderated by Folabi Olagbaju, Democracy Campaign Director at Greenpeace USA. Boycott follows the stories of a news publisher in Arkansas, an attorney in Arizona, and a speech therapist in Texas, who, when forced to choose between their jobs and their political beliefs, launch legal battles that expose an attack on freedom of speech across the US. The film traces the impact of legislation passed in 36 states designed to penalize individuals and companies that choose to boycott Israel due to its human rights record. In 2021, the Israel-focused anti-boycott laws began to serve as a template to target boycotts of the fossil fuels and firearms industry. By the start of 2023, they were expanded yet again to target those concerned with abortion access, transgender affirming care, immigration and workplace equity. Behind this legislation is the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), an organization that aligns corporations and conservative interests. ALEC has been behind a number of regressive laws including the stand your ground, voting ID and anti-boycott bills. On the eve of ALEC’s 50th Anniversary, community members and activists who are concerned by the role ALEC has played in undermining fundamental democratic practices are staging a series of counter actions to protect our right to protest. We hope you join us for this special event to learn more about the anti-boycott laws, ALEC’s role in undermining our ability to organize and voice dissent, and why it’s imperative that we work across issue areas – from Palestinian rights and environmental sustainability to racial justice, LGBTQ rights, immigration, abortion access and beyond. Doors will open at 5:30pm for light refreshments and hor d'oeuvres. The program will begin at 6:00pm. To register for the event, please do so here. We hope to see you there! |
