Ban the Cams note:  with Scamera Vendors like ATS suing using SLAPPS to try to prevent Public Votes like in Bellingham, WA  http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/35/3562.asp  We wanted to share with you one posters information on SLAPPS from a CameraFraud post.

http://www.meetup.com/camerafraud/messages/boards/thread/17117262/

Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation - Scam

Stacey  Posted Oct 22, 2011 4:09 PM  
 
   The United States and California constitutions grant every person the right to participate in government and civic affairs, speak freely on public issues, and petition government officials for redress of grievances. Yet, individuals and community groups are often sued for exercising these constitutional rights. These suits are known as "SLAPPs," or "Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation.

WHAT ARE SLAPP's?

Generally, a "SLAPP" is a (1) civil complaint or counterclaim; (2) filed against individuals or organizations; (3) arising from their communications to government or speech on an issue of public interest or concern. SLAPPs are often brought by corporations, real estate developers, government officials and others against individuals and community groups who oppose them on issues of public concern. SLAPP filers frequently use lawsuits based on ordinary civil claims such as defamation, conspiracy, malicious prosecution, nuisance, interference with contract and/or economic advantage, as a means of transforming public debate into lawsuits.

Most SLAPPs are ultimately legally unsuccessful. While most SLAPPs lose in court, they "succeed" in the public arena. This is because defending a SLAPP, even when the legal defense is strong, requires a substantial investment of money, time, and resources. The resulting effect is a "chill" on public participation in, and open debate on, important public issues. This "chilling" effect is not limited to the SLAPP target(s): fearful of being the target of future litigation, others refrain from speaking on, or participating in, issues of public concern.

http://www.thefirstamendment.org/antislappresourcecenter.html

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