An illuminating film on the Rachel Ehrenfeld case:
This documentary short film, produced by the Moving Picture Institute, shows how Saudi billionaire Khalid Bin Mafhouz exploits the British legal system and sues for libel whenever he is the subject of a terrorism accusation.
Directed by MPI fellow Jared Lapidus, the film explains how Mahfouz filed a libel suit against Dr. Rachel Ehrenfeld, author of Funding Evil; How Terrorism is Financed — and How to Stop It. The suit was not filed in the United States, where the book was published and sold, but instead in London, where Mahfouz associates ordered 23 copies online. The judge ordered all copies of the book pulped, and ordered Ehrenfeld to pay the legal fees and damages, despite the fact that nothing in her book about Saudi funding of terrorism was ever disproved.
Ehrenfeld, however, is fighting back. In The Libel Tourist she speaks about her shocking experience of modern-day book burning by British courts, and the First Amendment lawsuit she filed against Mahfouz. Her law suit was the impetus for “Rachel’s Law” — in March 31, 2008, the New York State Legislature unanimously passed — the Libel Terrorism Protection Act To Protect American Journalists and Authors From Overseas Defamation Lawsuits. With the new law on her side, Dr. Ehrenfeld is heading back to court to win her lawsuit against bin Mahfouz.
In MAY 2008, the the NATIONAL version of New York State’s “Rachel’s Law” — THE FREE SPEECH PROTECTION ACT (S-2977 & H.R. 5814) was introduced by Reps. Peter King (R-NY) & Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and Sens. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) & and Arlen Specter (R-PA). The bill has been assigned to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees.
If free speech is important to you, contact the House and Senate Judiciary Committee Members and staff and urge them to approve the bill and vote for its passage as soon as possible. Helping Dr. Ehrenfeld is helping each and every American — including YOU! To Donate & Help help -Visit: www.acdemocracy.org