Lawsuit Filed: Westover v DNR

Violation of First and Fourteenth Amendment Rights

Silent Majority Foundation filed a lawsuit against the State of Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and executive level DNR employees, on behalf of award-winning journalist, Alison Westover (AKA Alison Morrow) for Alison’s wrongful termination stemming from Alison posting an interview with Dr. Aaron Kheriaty, MD on her personal YouTube channel, which she made on her own time with her own resources.

Prior to joining DNR, Alison served as Environmental Reporter for KING 5 in Seattle, where she worked from 2013 until 2019, winning two Emmy awards during her tenure. While at KING 5, Alison created a YouTube channel to share her skills as an independent journalist. DNR subsequently hired Alison as a communications specialist with full knowledge of her YouTube channel and independent journalistic work. DNR encouraged this independent work until Alison covered Dr. Kheriaty and his opinions on COVID-19.

After Dr. Kheriaty’s appearance on Alison’s YouTube channel, DNR leadership told Alison if she continued with the interviews, they would fire her. Alison explained that she believed that her 1st Amendment rights protected her continuation of the work. She also noted that the YouTube channel was created in her personal time, with her personal equipment. Alison refused to comply with DNR’s demand that she cease production.  

DNR terminated Alison, and she sought assistance from Silent Majority Foundation. In discussing why she brought this lawsuit, Alison said:

"The 1st Amendment is one of the most sacred rights of Americans. It is what differentiates our country from most others, that we have the freedom to question our government. It is also central to a free press. I was willing to lose my job - and all that it provided for our family - in order to stand up against the encroaching erosion of this right that I was witnessing at the time, not just in my case but in thousands of others across the country during the pandemic," Alison said. "There was no way to do science, or journalism, in the culture of censorship that was driven by our government at the time. That meant millions of people made decisions without informed consent. Given my commitment to seeking truth wherever it leads, I was unwilling to acquiesce to a demand that I remain silent." - Alison Morrow Westover

Facts of the Case

Alison Westover (Morrow) produced and published an independent news channel. When DNR hired Alison, her DNR supervisors were aware of her independent YouTube channel. In fact, Alison was encouraged by the Chief of Staff to continue her independent journalism without restriction when she was hired. During the two year period of September 16, 2019 to September 30, 2021, she produced over 200 videos, utilizing her personal time and equipment, with no workplace complaints or discipline. It wasn’t until her interview with Dr. Aaron Kheriaty, MD, that the DNR took issue with her independent journalism, and she was contacted by Sarah Ford, the Office of the Commissioner of Public Lands Communications Director to schedule a meeting about the (DNR’s) expectations of her independent journalism and her continued employment with the agency.  

Following this phone meeting, on October 1, 2021, she was directed to “refrain from creating new videos that undermine DNR’s position and policies on COVID safety or - explicitly or implicitly - promotes/amplifies COVID misinformation.”

On October 13, 2021, Alison received a Notice of Separation from DNR indicating that her final day would be October 18, 2021.

Case in a Nutshell

The Department of Natural Resources violated Alison’s constitutional rights by failing to provide her due process regarding her termination (Fourteenth Amendment). Further, the DNR violated Alison’s First Amendment rights to free speech, association and press.

To view and download the complaint for this lawsuit click the link below:

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We encourage you to closely follow this case as it addresses several critical elements of the First Amendment of the US Constitution that require vigorous defense by organizations like SMF. Our defense of these rights is extremely critical and necessary, especially when the government is trampling the rights of We the People.

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