Loading...
Please wait, while we are loading the content...
Similar Documents
Survival Guide for S.L.A.P.P.s: Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Roquemour, Grayson |
| Copyright Year | 1991 |
| Abstract | The increasing risk of becoming the target of a political intimidation lawsuit, or SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation), represents a major challenge facing individuals actively involved in environmental issues. In unprecedented numbers, individuals are being . intimidated and silenced with SLAPP action lawsuits because of their participation in a wide range of traditional political activities which SLAPP critics contend are integral to the American political process as protected by the United States Constitution (Pring, 1990). Dr. George W. Pring, a national SLAPP expert, considers the alarming proliferation of political intimidation lawsuits in America over the past two decades to be the "newest litigation explosion" (Ibid.). Along with colleague Dr. Penelope Canan, Pring first became aware of the negative ramifications of the SLAPP phenomenon in the 1970's while "studying and defending environmental and community advocates" (Ibid.). Pring and Canan have since managed to document that SLAPPs constitute a common and accelerating phenomenon which "can be found in every state, every government level, every type of political action, every public issue of consequence" (Ibid.). Issues included the following categories: urban and suburban development/zoning (25%); complaints against public officials and employees (20%); environmental/ animal rights (18%); civil/human rights (11%); neighborhood problems (7%); and consumer protection (6%), (Ibid.). Water management issues have been involved in several of these SLAPP categories. Urban and suburban development/zoning has increasingly become a hybrid category which more and more frequently entails addressing the impact on water supply, waste disposal, or/and water system infrastructure in any situation where a more intensive use of land or potentially pollutive use is being considered. Among those specific activities which Pring and Canan have documented as stimulating SLAPP threats are the following activities which most high school citizenship classes teach us are acts of an alert, involved citizenry: writing letters; calling government officials; criticizing government actions and policies; speaking out at a pUblic meeting; reporting violations of law; giving testimony; campaigning on issues; demonstrating, picketing, and boycotting; filing public issue lawsuits (Pring, Jan. 1, 1990). |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://smartech.gatech.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1853/32044/RoquemourG-91.pdf?isAllowed=y&sequence=1 |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
