Tell Arkansas Lawmakers: Whistleblowers Will Not be Silenced
Action Alert from All-Creatures.org


[NOTE: GOOD NEWS. March 20. Arkansas Lawmakers thought they could quickly and quietly fast-track a bill to outlaw audio recordings at work, making it extremely difficult to investigate discrimination as well as systematic abuse of both people and animals. But LCA launched a petition and alerted the press – and the bill’s sponsor swiftly announced an amendment to severely limit the scope. This is a huge win in the fight against anti-whistleblower laws, which take away our rights.]

FROM

Last Chance for Animals (LCA) / End Ag-Gag Censorship
March 18, 2015

ACTION

Click HERE to read House Bill 1774.

In the land of Walmart, Tyson and other mega-corporations with plenty to hide, the most sweeping anti-whistleblower legislation in U.S. history has just been introduced in Arkansas.

If HB1774 becomes law, it will be illegal for any employee to record audio of “oral communication” in the workplace. Blatant discrimination, sexual harassment, or direct orders to violate safety code must not be taped – or else.

Sign an online petition here.

This petition will go straight to Arkansas Representative Matthew Shepherd, chair of the Arkansas House Committee on Judiciary (which will be voting on the bill soon), and tell him loud and clear that such anti-constitutional legislation will NOT be tolerated.

Representative Matthew Shepherd
Chair, Arkansas House Committee on Judiciary
200 N. Jefferson Ave., #600
El Dorado, AR 71730
phone (870) 862-2087
fax (870) 862-2747

If you live in Arkansas, please visit this site to find your representative’s contact information OR leave a comment for the House of Representatives, and let them know that you vote and you will not tolerate this egregious attempt at censorship.

INFORMATION / TALKING POINTS

This bill grossly violates our First Amendment rights, and serves the interest of Big Business while squashing the freedom of the average American. Walmart is the single largest non-government employer in Arkansas, and has already been cited multiple times for misconduct. If we allow this to pass, further violations may easily go undetected.

This petition will go straight to Arkansas Representative Matthew Shepherd, chair of the Arkansas House Committee on Judiciary (which will be voting on the bill soon), and tell him loud and clear that such anti-constitutional legislation will NOT be tolerated. If you live in Arkansas, please visit this site to find your representative’s contact information, and let them know that you vote and you will not tolerate this egregious attempt at censorship.

Far more dangerous than the average “ag-gag” law, this bill would do more than just stifle factory farm investigations (which have recently revealed extreme animal cruelty from Walmart meat suppliers). It would give license to all employers to treat workers in whatever manner they pleased, without fear that their words will be recorded.

Even scarier, this bill has been fast tracked as politicians seemingly rush to get it passed. Sent to committee the same day it was introduced, a vote for this legislation is imminent. Now is the time for public comment – if we don’t speak up, this bill could become law before most people ever knew it existed.

Big Business has no right to hide their misdeeds from public ears, and we refuse to stand idly by while they attempt to do so. Add your voice to this important petition to tell Arkansas that they may not silence those who strive to reveal the truth.


Thank you for everything you do for animals!


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