Zoe Rosenberg an exponent of Direction Action Everywhere (DxE) “welfare theater” was found guilty on a number of charges including trespass, theft and conspiracy. The verdict relates to an incident involving illegal intrusion into a Petaluma, CA. Perdue Farms plant. The jury summarily rejected claims of “rescue” and “welfare” to justify her actions

In past years, DxE activists have broken into numerous California poultry facilities and posed a farm or plant employees and committed various misdemeanors and felonies.

It is possible that illegal entry into California farms may have introduced infection or predisposed flocks to pathogens.  There is no morality in stealing poultry from farms in the guise of “rescue”.  The actions of DxE members are intended to generate publicity for their cause and to satisfy an innate compulsion to damage intensive livestock production. 

Advocacy is permissible.  Extreme zealotry resulting in criminal action cannot be condoned.  Members of DxE are entitled to their beliefs and can express their views but only within the law.  Once they cross the line they are no longer activists but criminals.