Zoe Roseberg a principal figure in Direct Action Everywhere (DXE) ‘Welfare Theater’ was found guilty of a number of charges including trespass, theft and conspiracy following an intrusion into the Perdue Farms plant in Petaluma, CA.

The jury rejected claims of rescue and welfare and recognized the actions of Rosenberg as trespass and theft. In past years, DXE activists have broken into numerous California poultry facilities at night committing various misdemeanors and felonies. It is possible that illegal entry to California farms may have introduced infection or predisposed flocks to pathogens.  In the current episode Rosenberg and co-activists posed as plant employees and stole live broilers.

There is no evident morality in stealing poultry from farms in the guise of “rescue”. The action of DXE members is intended to generate publicity for their cause and to satisfy an innate compulsion to oppose intensive livestock production. 

Advocacy and demonstrations are permissible.  Extreme zealotry resulting in criminal action cannot be condomed.  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.