Two activists affiliated with Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) will stand trial in California for stealing two chickens from a trailer delivering broilers to a Foster Farms plant in Livingston, CA. in September 2021.  The accused activists have refused a plea deal and wish to stand trial as they intend to establish case law that justifies what they regard as a “moral obligation” to prevent alleged cruelty associated with intensive livestock production. California authorities took no action on the complaint submitted by DxE since there was no evidence of cruelty in routine transport of broilers.

This case will follow an acquittal in Utah of an activist who removed two piglets from a farm owned by Smithfield Foods claiming that he was “rescuing” them to provide veterinary treatment.

The industry will face continual challenges from extremist groups such as DxE, given the zealotry inherent to their misplaced opposition to the production, processing and consumption of livestock.