Locke proposes new anti-terrorism laws

By Erin Van Bronkhorst

Associated Press

SEATTLE — Gov. Gary Locke has proposed new laws to punish those committing terrorist acts and to regulate money transfer services, telling lawmakers Wednesday that the state must work with federal authorities to prevent terrorism.

The state House’s Select Committee on Community Security, at its first public hearing, also listened to Arab and Muslim representatives concerned that new laws might be misused to encourage hate crimes against them.

Locke told the 13 House members present that the attacks of Sept. 11 informed Americans about terrorist dangers.

"There have been no credible threats of terrorist activities in the state of Washington since then, but we have learned that no community can consider itself safe from these threats," he said.

The governor said the Anti-Terrorism Act — one of four bills he and Attorney General Christine Gregoire have proposed — defines biological and chemical agents and weapons of mass destruction.

Under the measure, a person who "acts with terroristic intent" and causes someone’s death would be guilty of first-degree terrorism — a crime in the same category as aggravated first-degree murder, which carries penalties of death or life in prison.

A person who acts with that intent and injures someone would commit second-degree terrorism, a crime equivalent to first-degree murder. Unlawful use or possession of a weapon of mass destruction would be a crime similar to second-degree murder.

Threatening an act of terrorism would be a crime similar to first-degree assault. Possessing false identification for terrorist purposes, or providing support to terrorists, would be crimes similar to first-degree kidnapping.

Money transfer agencies and currency exchanges would be licensed and regulated under a second bill proposed by Locke.

State officials, working with federal officials, would have authority to inspect the agencies’ records. Money transfer agencies would be required to maintain a net worth of at least $25,000. Criminal misdemeanor as well as civil penalties are proposed.

"It’s apparent that those responsible for the attacks freely transferred money" to support their actions, Locke said. "Washington lacks any regulation of these activities."

Another measure would prohibit price gouging — artificially high prices — during times of attacks or national emergency. A fourth proposed law would allow state officials to exempt intelligence and national security information from laws requiring public disclosure of government records.

Committee chairman Rep. Christopher Hurst, D-Enumclaw, welcomed speakers who had been invited to participate from Arab, Muslim, South Asian and Somali groups. He said those groups have felt the greatest fallout from the Sept. 11 attacks because of hate crimes and discrimination.

"It was important to hear from them first. We want them to be part of the process," he said after the hearing.

Hisham Farajallah, director of the Idriss Mosque in north Seattle, said his community is "100 percent in favor of any measure" to help prevent terrorism.

"As far as Muslims are concerned, public safety is first and foremost a human issue," he said. But he said federal anti-terrorism activities have undermined the U.S. Constitution, and asked that state leaders consider carefully before expanding powers of law enforcement.

"If you do not explicitly include constitutional protections, our experience tells us we in the Arab and Muslim communities will suffer regardless of your good intentions," Farajallah said.

Mahdy Maaweel, director of the Somali Youth Association, said some of his fellow Somali immigrants have experienced physical attacks or loss of jobs since Sept. 11.

Hurst asked Maaweel if he would feel comfortable turning in a terrorist in his community, or would feel himself to be in danger from retaliation.

"I don’t know anybody like that," declared Maaweel, "but if there is, I would turn them in."

Pramila Jayapal, director of the Hate Free Zone Campaign, said hate crimes and incidents against Arabs, Muslims, East Africans and South Asians are "becoming more widespread and more insidious."

Rep. Ida Ballasiotes, R-Mercer Island, told the speakers that "nobody knows what to do" in this new situation of terrorist attacks.

"You have to realize that not everyone that comes here (to the United States) is a good guy," she said. "That has been proven, and we need to be aware of that." She added, "No one wants to run over your rights."

The committee will also conduct evening hearings in Olympia during the legislative session that begins Monday.

Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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