Don’t let farm industry restrict our rights

Iowa HF. 589 affects transparency and whistle blowing when animals are being abused on farms or at food-processing plants.

Over the years, the farm industry has come a long way in expanding and finding other alternatives for providing goods to the American table. I have a great love for animals. Agriculture needs to realize that people living in the city are not ignorant when it comes to producing the products that consumers use. Agriculture feels a select few animal activist are giving them a bad rap and hurting their business.

But there are laws already in place to handle these situations, such as those for trespassing, fraud, slander and tort laws. To put attachments on First Amendment rights is inconceivable. Pay attention to what's going on here. Is this the constitutional belief that our forefathers fought for? Agriculture affiliates, stop with this nonsense now.

State legislators, every time someone complains about radical groups affecting their business, are you going to put restrictions on First Amendment rights?

I believe everyone in society is entitled to their own beliefs and can rely on themselves to sort out the issues.

Craig Rathje

Cedar Rapids