Rural Roots

The Sierra Club presents Right to Harm

Join us from October 14-21 for a free screening of Right to Harm, with a panel discussion on October 19 featuring experts from the film.

Discuss at Weds Oct 19, 2022 5 pm – 6:30 pm  PDT 

Trough the riveting stories of five rural communities, Right to Harm exposes the devastating public health impact factory farming has on many disadvantaged citizens throughout the United States. This film features five rural communities where state laws have taken away rural citizens’ right to protect themselves from foul odors and other pollution from huge, poorly regulated animal factories (or “CAFOs”) that are owned by, or contracted to, big agriculture corporations. Fed up with the lack of regulation, these disenfranchised citizens band together to demand justice from their legislators.

Filmmakers Matt Wechsler and Annie Speicher skillfully weave together five stories that span eight states from the Southwest to the Midwest to the Eastern Shore. Farmers, mothers, scientists and politicians share intimate stories of how their lives were forever changed by factory farming. Right to Harm is an enlightening exploration that questions whether citizens are entitled to clean air and water, while examining the political issues that stand in the way of nationwide reform.

By signing up, you will get access to watch the movie at your leisure from Friday, October 14 through Friday, October 21. There is no charge for your viewing of this gripping documentary of environmental injustice in America. We will send you the link to watch when the free screening period begins. You will also be automatically registered for a virtual panel discussion, consisting of participants in the film, being held at 8pm ET on October 19.

Panel members:

1. Diane Rosenberg (moderator), Executive Director, Jefferson County Farmers & Neighbors, Inc.
2. Greg Gunthorp, livestock farmer, Gunthorp Farms, Indiana
3. John Ikerd, PhD, MS, Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics, Univ. of Missouri
4. Maria Payan, community activist, Socially Responsible Agriculture Project (SRAP)
5. Sacoby Wilson, PhD, MS, environmental health scientist