Amy Meyer was volunteering at an animal sanctuary near Salt Lake City, Utah when she decided, on the spur of a moment, to take a literal turn off her usual path. She had driven by a massive slaughterhouse on the way to the sanctuary many times. It always made her sad to think of the animals sent to their deaths, just a few hundred feet from the road. But one day in February 2013, she decided she would not just drive by. She would stop – and try to do something about it. And by merely stopping and pulling out her camera, from a few hundred feet away on a public street, she set off a chain reaction that trigger a nationwide legal battle for free speech and animal rights. A small horde of police cars surrounded her. She was charged with violating Utah’s newly-enacted “ag gag” law. And her normal life suddenly transformed. 

Amy’s story, in which her partner Jeremy also played a key role, shows two very important things. The first is that the state has been corrupted by industry influence. When even our most cherished civil liberties are blatantly violated at industry behest, something has gone wrong in American democracy. The second lesson, however, is that when we fight back – and work together with inclusive coalitions of activists, media, and ordinary people – we can win. 

This is a good one. And an important story to keep in mind as Paul and I go to trial. Because in less than one week, on Monday, Sept 26, we are going to ask you to join us in fighting back against industry influence again. Stay tuned for more. 

Music by Dayzee Deva (cover of "Everybody Have Fun Tonight”)