The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act

The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) is a U.S. law enacted in 2006 that aims to protect animal-related businesses and activities from certain forms of protest and activism. It makes it a federal crime to intentionally cause damage, harassment, or interference with animal enterprises—such as farms, research labs, or pet stores—by means like vandalism, threats, or obstruction. The law is designed to prevent acts of terrorism against these businesses, but critics argue it can limit protesters' rights by criminalizing certain forms of activism. Overall, it seeks to balance animal enterprise security with lawful activism.