Why must low-level criminal activity by animal rights activists be prosecuted in federal court?

Deidre Fulton @ Common Dreams - Two activists are scheduled to appear in a federal district court in Chicago on Thursday, marking the first time that the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA)—which criminalizes protected speech and protest activities that cause an 'animal enterprise' to lose profits—will be legally challenged as a violation of the U.S. Constitution.  Read more.