Animal Partisan, a pioneering animal protection organization that utilizes innovative legal strategies to challenge the key industries involved in animal exploitation, just filed a lawsuit against the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In this endeavor, Animal Partisan is represented by the Farmed Animal Advocacy Clinic at Vermont Law and Graduate School, in collaboration with the Sorenson Law Office.
At the heart of the lawsuit is a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request submitted by Animal Partisan that the FBI denied. This request sought to uncover documents concerning the Bureau's involvement at two significant trade industry conferences put on by the North American Meat Institute (NAMI). To our understanding, the FBI had presented at one or both conferences, presumably to discuss new strategies to undermine animal protection advocates who spotlight the abuse and misconducts prevalent in industrial animal agriculture.
In response to the FOIA request, the FBI has asserted that these records are exempt from disclosure, stating that they "concern records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, the release of which could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings."
It is our belief that the denial of this request is not only unfounded but is a significant hindrance to the transparency that is essential to any democratic society. What adds a layer of absurdity to the situation is that the records at issue, connected with public presentations at a trade conference, are now being guarded under the pretext of law enforcement confidentiality. This case is an integral step in combating potential overreach by law enforcement agencies and their potential to stifle animal activists' efforts to expose wrongdoings in industries that exploit animals.
FOIA is a vital tool for animal protection advocates, as it enables understanding of government activities in this area. It has the potential to reveal critical information that can influence advocacy efforts and expose actions that may hinder animal protection. The importance of this lawsuit, therefore, extends beyond the particular FOIA request at issue. This case represents an opportunity to ensure the preservation of these tools for transparency, and to stand up for the rights of those who advocate on behalf of the voiceless.
The FBI has exhibited a concerning pattern of targeting animal activists, emphasizing the urgent necessity of the lawsuit initiated today. In a striking example from 2017, the FBI conducted a raid on an animal sanctuary in Utah, hunting for two pigs purportedly taken from a facility owned by Smithfield Foods, the world's largest pork producer. Despite the aggressive searches, the sought-after pigs were never located, and no federal charges materialized. Yet, Utah prosecutors filed felony burglary and theft charges against the activists – charges from which the activists were recently acquitted.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the FBI's and other law enforcement agencies' excessive reach in targeting activists, which underscores the profound significance of Animal Partisan’s lawsuit beyond the realm of general transparency. It highlights the pressing need to check these practices and ensure the legal rights and protections of those protecting animals are not unjustly infringed upon.
As we embark on this lawsuit, the students involved in the Farmed Animal Advocacy Clinic are gaining invaluable experience in FOIA litigation. This litigation is crucial in pushing for transparency and accountability from our government institutions, especially those with the power to shape the narrative surrounding animal protection and industrial agriculture.
As we journey through this critical phase for animal protection, we stand firm in our belief that the protection of animals and the rights of those who champion them should remain paramount. We will diligently keep you informed about the developments of this lawsuit and its potential implications for FOIA requests, animal protection advocacy, and the broader discourse surrounding the protection of farmed animals.