Don't Penalize Animal Abuse Investigators!
A recent undercover investigation by Mercy for Animals captured footage of sadistic abuse and neglect toward turkeys raised for food in a N.C. Butterball slaughterhouse. Workers were caught on video kicking and dragging turkeys, bashing their heads with metal rods and neglecting birds with large wounds. Thanks to their report, Butterball promised to investigate the plant. But now, Mercy for Animals may be charged with terrorism.
Mercy for Animal's victory is bittersweet, however; activists fear that the FBI may charge the group under the 2006 Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, which prohibits conduct "for the purpose of damaging or interfering with the operations of an animal enterprise." Additionally, five states are considering an "ag-gag" bill that would criminalize undercover photographs and videos at food production plants.
People have the right to know where their food comes from and how animals are treated during production. Please sign the petition to protect investigators' rights to take photos and videos at food production plants.
We, the undersigned, are concerned about plans to punish current and future undercover investigators under the 2006 Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act,
as well as proposed "ag-gag" bills in five states that would criminalize undercover photographs and videos at food production plants.
People have the right to know where their food comes from and how animals are treated during production. Investigative reporters are not "terrorists" as indicated by the 2006 act, and their services educate people on the cruelty and sadism present in food production plants.
Past exposes and resulting protests and boycotts have convinced companies to discontinue unethical practices that harm animals and compromise human health. Criminalizing undercover photos and videos gives sadistic slaughterhouse workers the freedom to treat animals however they wish while keeping consumers completely in the dark. Please promote transparency in food production plants and put an end to any current or proposed bills and acts that compromise investigative reporters' rights to expose unethical food production practices. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
