A group of journalists, academics and activists gave testimony in federal court Thursday in their suit challenging the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes controversial provisions authorizing the military to jail anyone it considers a terrorism suspect anywhere in the world without charge or trial. Sections of the bill are written so broadly that critics say they could encompass journalists who report on terror-related issues for supporting enemy forces. Tangerine Bolen of the activist media group RevolutionTruth explained her decision to join the suit.

Tangerine Bolen: “We’re here to basically stand up and make sure the U.S. government knows this is an egregious assault on our civil liberties, and we won’t stand for it. We have to amend the unconstitutional provisions of the NDAA, and the government needs to better define its terms. The terms right now are dangerous and far too broad.”

Other plaintiffs include former New York Times war correspondent Chris Hedges, Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, and Professor Noam Chomsky. Cornel West also appeared at the court to support the case.

Cornel West: “I am full of joy to be a plaintiff in this particular case. Why? Because we’re at a turning point in the history of this nation. We need to stand for freedom. There’s an escalating authoritarianism and even a creeping fascism. … Freedom is precious. If we don’t fight for it, you lose it.”

Writer Naomi Wolf is also a part of the lawsuit.