The Government Accountability Project's (GAP) Know Your Rights Campaign is about raising public awareness of Gulf worker whistleblower rights so that people who want to speak out can do so safely and effectively. There are laws – indeed many federal and state laws – that protect courageous people who exercise their American birthright of free speech, even on the job. These whistleblower laws are there to protect you, your community, and our democracy against unsafe and hazardous practices and conditions, and the abuses of power and gross mismanagement that have laid the Gulf Coast to waste. The goal is to disclose the truth, hold the violators accountable, and protect and reward those who light a lamp for the rest of us.
The Deepwater Horizon oil well has been capped, and the national media spotlight has turned elsewhere. All that’s left are BP’s feel-good ads assuring us that everything will be alright. Not that anyone believes this incessant propaganda: The nightmare that’s ravaged Gulf Coast communities and marine life will haunt us for years to come. And so will the questions: Why all the secrecy in the clean-up? What about the devastating financial impact on Gulf Coast watermen, the alarming ailments plaguing Gulf Coast residents and workers, the reports of massive kill zones and dead marine life, and the widely disparate scientific studies on what’s happened to all that oil and dispersant? The list goes on and on.
Also lost in the cloak of secrecy surrounding this disaster is any confidence that the industry or the government – federal, state or local – cares as much about Gulf Coast communities as they do about the well-being of the politically wired oil and gas industry.
For the truth to be known, people of conscience will need to penetrate the BP and governmental fog. Workers on oil platforms and in corporate suites who witnessed critical corners being cut; watermen and Gulf Coast families who’ve experienced the dire health effects; and residents who’ve seen a cherished way of life diminished beyond recognition – all face difficult choices about remaining silent in hopes of cutting personal losses, or risking the truth for the greater good.
Telling the truth need not mean committing yourself to martyrdom. One can do so anonymously or publicly. There are laws – indeed many federal and state laws – that protect courageous people who exercise their American birthright of free speech, even on the job. These whistleblower laws are there to protect you, your community, and our democracy against the abuses of power and gross mismanagement that have laid the Gulf Coast to waste.
And there are organizations, like GAP, that exist to assist and protect individuals who stand up for the common good.
Click here for a list of federal laws that protect workers involved in drilling, production, and cleanups.
Click here for a list of state laws that protect workers involved in drilling, production, and cleanups.
Public Advisory. Document: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 , Part 5
About GAP
GAP is the nation's leading whistleblower protection and advocacy organization. Every year, we handle some of the most prominent whistleblower cases that emerge - representing clients who wish to expose wrongdoing that threatens the public. Our Know Your Rights Campaign is about raising public awareness of your rights so that Gulf workers who want to speak out can do so safely and effectively.
In late February 2011, we made a push to make our campaign known to all kinds of Gulf organizations who may have members interested in speaking with us to learn about their rights. Unions, environmental groups, other nonprofits - if your organization is involved with Gulf workers, or an affected community, we want to hear from you! We're happy to talk with you about how we can help, and send you our materials (poster and brochure) to spread the word.
For more information about the Know Your Rights Campaign, contact us at info@whistleblower.org.
Click here to read an op-ed about Gulf Coast whistleblowers and GAP's Know Your Rights Campaign
