My name is William Thompson, and I'm writing this on behalf of my dearest friends, Chris and Jamie Stebly, who live in Jackson County, Mississippi.

What began as a simple neighbor dispute has turned into an 8-month legal and political battle over something as wholesome and harmless as keeping backyard chickens.

Chris and Jamie have lovingly cared for their pet chickens for years. But a neighbor, citing a little-known county ordinance, launched an aggressive campaign to have their chickens removed. The ordinance states that in R-1 residential subdivisions, residents must have at least one acre of land to keep livestock—and Jackson County currently classifies chickens as livestock.

This neighbor didn’t just complain—they escalated the issue, involving police, code enforcement, and local elected officials in an effort to punish the Steblys and force the removal of their beloved pets. As a result, Chris and Jamie found themselves at the center of a broader fight—one that would determine whether anyone in Jackson County could keep backyard chickens in platted neighborhoods.

What followed was a costly legal battle that extended far beyond what they ever expected. Their case triggered a county-wide debate over property rights, ordinances, and how we define community. At one point, elected officials even considered a full ban on all livestock—including chickens—in all platted neighborhoods.

Chris and Jamie stood their ground—not just for themselves, but for every resident in Jackson County who values the right to raise chickens and other small livestock on their property. Because of their persistence and their attorney's work, they helped prevent an overreach that would’ve stripped away these rights county-wide.

Now, they need our help. The legal expenses have piled up—multiple hearings, appeals, and meetings added up quickly. I’m asking you to consider donating to help the Steblys recoup the attorney fees they incurred while fighting to protect a way of life for themselves and others in Jackson County.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps. Let’s stand with them the way they stood for all of us.

Thank you for your support.

—William Thompson