, We just heard from our attorneys at the ACLU and the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) that a federal judge ruled in our favor – declaring Iowa’s Ag Gag Law unconstitutional! That’s right: the Ag Gag law in Iowa struck down by federal judge. You may remember the two-year campaign we waged against Ag Gag at Iowa’s Statehouse back in 2011-2012. This industry-written bill aimed to silence our voice by: - Preventing everyday folks from documenting manure spills, piles of dead hogs, and other possible violations at factory farms via photo and video,
- Preventing undercover style videos documenting animal abuse in factory farms, and
- Preventing whistleblowers from exposing unsafe working conditions or other workplace violations at animal ag facilities.
The law passed after a GOP House and Democratic Senate compromised. But, thanks to your pressure we gutted much of it including the language outlawing photo and video in 2012. But what remained still created stricter penalties for documenting animal abuse and exposing unsafe working conditions at factory farms. That’s why we teamed up with some people-powered attorneys at ACLU, ALDF, and other allies concerned about animal welfare and puppy mills to file a legal challenge to Iowa’s Ag Gag law. After a year of working its way through the courts and lots of pushback from Big Ag, today we celebrate this big victory. And I can’t think of a better way to get ready for the 2019 legislative session than by handing Big Ag this loss today. I'm heading off to a press conference with our allies now, but check out some initial press coverage. Then high five your neighbor to celebrate this people-powered victory. Thanks for all you do for a better Iowa,
Adam Mason State Policy Organizing Director P.S. These victories are fueled by your activism and your financial support! Chip in today to help us keep up the work! |