<img width="235" height="274" alt="WilkensOdetteLarge" src="/site/files/oldnewsfiles/WilkensOdetteLarge.jpg" class="FloatRight">The ramifications of a federal anti-terrorism law that animal advocates have decried as an attack on free speech rights will be the focus of an upcoming talk at Widener Law.<br><br>The <a href="/CampusLife/ActivitiesandOrganizations/OtherDelawareOrganizations/StudentAnimalLegalDefenseFund.aspx">Student Animal Legal Defense Fun</a>d on the school’s Wilmington, Del. campus will host guest speaker Odette Wilkens, executive director of the Equal Justice Alliance, on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Wednesday, April 4 at 6 p.m.</span> Wilkens will speak in <span style="font-weight: bold;">room 119</span> of the Main Law Building at 4601 Concord Pike.<br><br>Her talk will focus on the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, which labels any action that a person might do to interfere with an animal enterprise – such as a business that uses animals or animal products like research labs, grocery or clothing stores – as potential acts of terrorism. Animal advocates maintain these kinds of activities could include website postings, peaceful vigils, nonviolent civil disobedience, undercover investigations and whistleblowing – and that these kinds of activities are protected under the First Amendment.<br><br>President George W. Bush signed the act into law in November 2006.<br><br>Equal Justice Alliance, which Wilkens represents, is a coalition of social justice groups seeking to repeal the law.<br><br>Pennsylvania and Delaware attorneys who attend the program will be eligible for 1.5 continuing legal education credits. The registration fee for those attending for credits is $20. The program is free to students and the general public.