Oppose a Thought Crime Prevention Bill

10/23/2007--Passed House amended.

Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to add a new section concerning the prevention of violent radicalization (an extremist belief system for facilitating ideologically based viole more...nce to advance political, religious, or social change) and homegrown terrorism (violence by a group or individual within the United States to coerce the U.S. government, the civilian population, or a segment thereof in furtherance of political or social objectives).

Establishes within the legislative branch the National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism to:

(1) examine and report on facts and causes of violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence in the United States; and

(2) build upon, bring together, and avoid unnecessary duplication of related work done by other entities toward such goal.

Requires:
(1) interim reports and a final report from the Commission to the President and Congress on its findings and recommendations;

(2) the public availability of such reports; and

(3) Commission termination 30 days after its final report.

Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish or designate a university-based Center of Excellence for the Study of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism in the United States to assist federal, state, local, and tribal homeland security officials, through training, education, and research, in preventing violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism in the United States.

Requires the Secretary to:
(1) conduct a survey of methodologies implemented by foreign nations to prevent violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism; and

(2) report to Congress on lessons learned from survey results. Prohibits Department of Homeland Security (DHS) efforts to prevent ideologically based violence and homegrown terrorism from violating the constitutional and civil rights or civil liberties of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

Directs the:
(1) Secretary to ensure that activities and operations are in compliance with DHS's commitment to racial neutrality; and

(2) DHS Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Officer to develop and implement an auditing system to ensure that compliance does not violate the constitutional and civil rights or civil liberties of any racial, ethnic, or religious group, and to include audit results in its annual report to Congress.

You can read the full bill here: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.1955:

Click here to Oppose the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act, HR. 1955 / S. 1959 Petition

Dan