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Press Release: Wes Shoemyer: Protect the Harvest and Senator Mike Parson Must End Deafening Silence; Denounce Forest Lucas’ Implication that Family Farmers are “Terrorists”

For Immediate Release:  August 13, 2014

Contact: Kevin Stamps, kstamps22@gmail.com(636) 208-6570

 

Wes Shoemyer: Protect the Harvest and Senator Mike Parson Must End Deafening Silence;

Denounce Forest Lucas’ Implication that Family Farmers are “Terrorists”

Sedalia, MO:  President of Missouri’s Food for America today called on Protect the Harvest to denounce and apologize for a comment their founder and biggest funder, Forrest Lucas, made recently in telling an audience at the Missouri State Fair that opponents of Amendment 1 were “like terrorists.”

The report of Lucas’ comment at the Aug. 7 opening day of the MO State Fair was first noted by the Sedalia Democrat.

In the report, Lucas says “We as Americans should not even have to worry about having people out here to fight us, it’s like they’re terrorists.”

Shoemyer denounced Lucas’ comment, and called for him to apologize. As well as calling on Senator Mike Parson, present at the joint press conference to do the same.
“Forrest Lucas’ words are irresponsible, and hyperbolic,” said Shoemyer, President of Missouri’s Food For America. “Mr. Lucas has crossed way over any line of common sense and common decency, it is this kind of rhetoric that injects fear and distrust into our political discourse. Protect the Harvest and Sen. Mike Parson cannot remain silent. And if they do, then that tells the people of Missouri they think it’s OK to liken people you disagree with to terrorists who have kill thousands of Americans and started a war.”
“This is a moment of truth for them, just as it is for Forest Lucas,” said Joe Maxwell, former Lt. Governor and VP of Outreach and Engagement for HSUS. “What Forest Lucas said tarnishes not only his organization, but the reputations of anyone standing beside him who doesn’t denounce his words. It’s a test of character. I’m anxious to see if the Sen. Parson and Mr. Lucas’ other allies can muster the strength to pass this test.”

Respectfully,

Kevin Stamps
c. 636-208-6570