In a win for the animals, a federal judge has ruled against part of North Carolina’s “ag-gag” law, intended to prevent undercover animal activists from gathering cruelty evidence from farms or laboratories.
A number of groups – including PETA, Farm Forward, Food and Water Watch, and the ASPCA – accused state officials of violating the U.S. Constitution by restricting their ability to investigate employers for illegal or unethical practices under the 2015 Property Protection Act.
According to court documents, PETA wanted to carry out an undercover investigation at University of North Carolina’s testing labs but “refrained from doing so out of fear” of prosecution under the “ag-gag” legislation.
After U.S. District Judge Thomas Schroeder dismissed the case in 2018, his decision was reversed, and he was directed by the appeals judges to look at the case again. This time, he ruled that four subsections of the act were unconstitutional and breached First Amendment rights.
The Property Protection Act enables courts to issue civil penalties and award damages against employees who film or photograph non-public areas of business and give that evidence to anyone other than law enforcement agents or their employers.
“[The law] was an attempt to bully and threaten those working for transparency, free speech and the public good,” the plaintiffs said in a news release. “We brought this lawsuit for the sake of the health and safety of all citizens of North Carolina, and are glad to see this law struck down today.”
What’s New…
EXCELLENT NEWS — LET’S KEEP UP THIS FIGHT FOR ANIMALS — ALWAYS.
Sickening
Thank you Jake Schroeder and thank you to all the beautiful people who fight very every day of their lives to have these ag-gag laws reversed keep up the good work people
This is such a wonderful step forward. Those laws are nothing less than criminal.
Very happy!
Very happy!
The airlines, ALL airlines need to be able to accommodate animal passengers with a safe comfortable flight. The flight alone is very stressful. Putting them in cargo where there is no temperature control is cruel! Also, airlines should not be allowed to ban Pitts from flights!
Stop all animal abuse now.
Stop Animals abuse
Stop cruel Factory Farming.
It seems the Federal Judge is also another Animal hater must be. Unethical, unkind evil people too cam hold higher positions in the offices. This is a classic case of it.
NO ANIMAL ABUSE SHOULD EVER BE IGNORED AND SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE FOREFRONT OF THE PUBLUCS EYE. THANK YOU TO THE JUDGE FOR OVERTURNING THIS LAW
THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE A FAMILY FRIENDLY SITE
THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE A FAMILY FRIENDLY SITE.
This is a victory forl animal rights. Bravo North Carolina Appellate Court judges for ordering the original judge to take another look at the case.
Well done a step in the right direction….
Thank you. God bless. Buddha is great.
So horrific, we must do everything in our power to end the killing of animals all around the world.
I love Judge Schroeder. An Honest man among many crooks.
Surely we have a right to know what goes on behind closed doors??
The agriculture, animal factory and livestock grazing industry has had protection against public input for too long. Now, we must continue to fight against this atrocious special interest lobby–to protect domestic, wildlife, and natural ecosystems. This terrible industry is also a great contributor to Global Climate Change–and to the increasing threats from Viral Pandemics, such as Covid-19.
http://www.foranimals.org stealtraps.com
The agriculture, animal factory and livestock grazing industry has had protection against public input for too long. Now, we must continue to fight against this atrocious special interest lobby–to protect domestic, wildlife, and natural ecosystems. This terrible industry is also a great contributor to Global Climate Change–and to the increasing threats from Viral Pandemics, such as Covid-19.
http://www.foranimals.org stealtraps.com
No business can be allowed to operate under secrecy in the United States. If you have nothing to hide, you hide nothing.
Great news but the fight is far from over
Provincial law can not exceed Federal Charter law.
I’m loving that judge in North Carolina – Thank You sir or ma’am!
More idiot, cruel, evil, incompetent, “judges” at work. they don’t know their ass from a hole in the ground! Imbecilic morons! And EVIL to boot! UGH!!!
The courts have to do that here in Canada now aftèr bill 156 I believe it is just passed. All it is is protectionism of abusive, criminal activity of production farming and big money corruption.
I urge you to ask yourself how honorable it is to preside over the abuse and suffering of animals.
Thank you to everyone including the judge for doing the right thing to save and protect innocent animals!
These animals deserve better
Agree,
The ag-gag law was created to protect the torturers and mute the righteous. This putrid law should be put in a trash where it belongs and never to be spoken again