Tell Legislators to Honor Free Speech about CAFOs in Wyoming

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Tell Legislators to Honor Free Speech about CAFOs in Wyoming

HB0126 makes “knowingly or intentionally” recording the image or sound froman agricultural operation without the consent of the owner or manager is a misdemeanor punishable for up to six months in jail and a $750 fine. It also requires reporting animal abuse within 48 hours, so no ongoing recording of
cruelty can take place—no undercover operations or long-term investigations can happen.

It’s clear the only reason for this legislation is to keep the public from seeing the shocking conditions that exist on CAFOs. If passed into law, this bill will protect large factory farms by making undercover investigations into animal care illegal. Those who report and expose cruelty to animals would risk huge fines.

Tell your legislator that photographing CAFOs is protected speech under the First Amendment, and if farmers don’t want their dirty laundry aired, they should simply make their farms sanitary and treat their animals humanely. Rather than stop cruel treatment of animals, this bill will simply ensure that the public never learns about it.

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Your Governor
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Dear [Decision Maker],

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As your constituent, I strongly urge you to oppose HB0126. HB0126 makes "knowingly or intentionally" recording the image or sound from an agricultural operation without the consent of the owner or manager is a misdemeanor punishable for up to six months in jail and a $750 fine. It also requires reporting animal abuse within 48 hours, so no ongoing recording of cruelty can take place -- no undercover operations or long-term investigations can happen.

This bill would chill legitimate attempts to investigate animal cruelty and expose the grossly unsanitary conditions present at factory farms. This legislation attempts to diminish the public's right to obtain information and undermines our First Amendment rights. This attempt implies that there is even more to be concerned about on factory farms than previously thought. Passing this bill would be a disservice to both good farmers and concerned Wyoming citizens.

Wouldn't it make more sense to clean up the factory farms themselves, rather than trampling the rights of free speech and freedom of the press? Aren't whistleblowers to be applauded? Why should the state of Wyoming protect an industry whose practices are questionable at best, at the expense of a possible violation of the US Constitution?

This is a terrible bill, and supporting it will only endanger the health and well-being of your citizens who consume the food made from the animals kept in such an environment -- not to mention propagating the potential abuse of animals. Why should companion pets enjoy the protection of animal abuse laws, but food animals be subjected to the most inhumane conditions imaginable?

Protect free speech in Wyoming. Please vote NO on HB0126.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]

Protecting Natural Health