http://arizona.indymedia.org/news/2003/04/9479.php Mail comments.
Stop SB 1059 - call or email Governor Napolitano NOW!
by Rail Fan
Tuesday, Apr. 08, 2003 at 7:18 AM
SB 1059 is supposed to protect "critical public service facilities" from terrorism. It would make trespassing on "critical public service facilities" a felony.
SB 1059 passed the Arizona House yesterday by a vote of 57-2, and it has already passed the Arizona Senate. This bill would make it a class 6 felony to trespass on "critical public service facilities", supposedly in the name of stopping terrorism.
Please take some time today to call and email Governor Janet Napolitano, and urge her to veto this bill!
Here are just some of the people this bill would adversely affect:
* Protesters who trespass on "critical public service facilities" during the course of their protest could be charged with felony charges as a result of this bill. For example, roll a black plastic "crack" down Glen Canyon Dam, and you are a felon if this bill passes. Climb a smokestack to hang a banner protesting pollution, and if Governor Napolitano signs SB 1059, you're a felon.
* Hobos/freight hoppers. This bill includes rail yards ("any structure or fenced yard...used by rail, bus, air, or other mass transit") as critical public service facilities. Enter a train yard to hop a freight, you're a felon if this bill passes. There are still people who use this as their only means of transportation, because they cannot afford anything else.
* Rail fans. Those who photograph trains as a hobby sometimes enter train yards to photograph trains. Technically this is trespassing but it is usually tolerated by the railroads. If SB 1059 passes, these people would become felons in Arizona because of their hobby.
* BASE jumpers/bungee jumpers. Often they trespass on towers, smokestacks, bridges etc but it's a misdemeanor. If this bill passes it will be a felony.
* Those who engage in civil disobedience during the course of protests. This could involve trespassing in some cases.
Please stop what you are doing and call Governor Napolitano's office at (602) 542-4331. Urge her to veto SB 1059 when it comes to her desk. Then, follow that up by going to her comments page at http://www.governor.state.az.us/post/feedback.htm and leave her an email urging her to veto SB 1059 as currently written.
Please be polite when calling and writing the Governor. Be to the point, and if you have specific personal reasons why you would be adversely affected by this bill, mention those (for example if you are a rail fan, an environmental activist who participates in protests, etc.) Also, urge her to tell the legislature to rewrite this bill so that it only applies to trespassing with the intent to commit an criminal or terrorist act before she will sign it. As currently written this bill is unacceptable. Let's flood the Governor's desk and phone lines with oppostion to SB 1059. This is our last chance to stop this bill from becoming law!