Last year two Greenpeace activists boarded a ship believed to be unlawfully smuggling mahogany; they accompanied the ship to shore and were later charged with a petty offense for unlawfully boarding the ship. The government has since indicted Greenpeace, Inc. for boarding the ship and for conspiring to commit the unauthorized boarding.
Civil disobedients expect to be and routinely are prosecuted for engaging in civil disobedience, and there is nothing surprising in the decision by the government to prosecute the individuals who boarded the ship. But the decision to indict Greenpeace, Inc. seems unprecedented. Is there any history of federal prosecution of nonnviolent advocacy organizations whose members engage in civil disobedience, or is this a first? What does this portend for other advocacy groups that encourage or sponsor civil disobedience? Michael R. Masinter 3305 College Avenue Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, Fl. 33314 Shepard Broad Law Center (954) 262-6151 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Chair, ACLU of Florida Legal Panel
