California does a lot of things that make the rest of us raise our eyebrows. This latest piece goes well beyond that though.
Berkeley, California’s Peace and Justice Commission passed a resolution supporting nonviolent animal-rights activists and protects animals in commercial operations. The resolution asks state leaders to stop prosecuting activists who trespass onto animal farms to either expose alleged animal cruelty or rescue abused animals. The recommendation is now forwarded to Mayor Jesse Arreguin and the City Council for consideration.
So let’s put this in some context. Direct Action Everywhere recently held demonstrations at three animal farms in Sonoma County. One of those farms was the Petaluma Poultry farm. Members trespassed onto the farms, set up “medical” tents, and proceeded to “treat” the allegedly sick animals. Activists then walked off with live and dead birds, supposedly choosing the chickens that needed the most medical treatment. When police arrived, the remaining protesters were holding a vigil for the dead birds. Almost 70 activists were arrested at the farm.
The Sonoma County District Attorney charged six of the activists for felony conspiracy, felony burglary and misdemeanor trespass.
DxE, as the group is also known, stages these types of events a lot. Their website boasts of their “animal rescues.” That’s where activists break into a farm, find the animals the members think needs the most care, and then leaves with the animals. They also set members up to work at the farms and perform “investigations.” And, naturally, they stage regular protests.
Can you even imagine? Your farm is suddenly inundated with a hundred protesters. They enter your animal facilities (without proper hygiene practices). They randomly choose animals to “treat.” These people have no veterinarian training. They aren’t animal-husbandry experts. They likely have no idea how to even care for these animals. And then, most appalling of all, they walk off with your animals! How is that anything other than theft?!
So the Sonoma County District Attorney was absolutely correct to charge these individuals with conspiracy, burglary, and trespass! People participating in these activities need to be held accountable and prosecuted!
But Berkeley’s Peace and Justice Commission says otherwise. Because they believe that animal farmers are evil and bad people who mistreat and abuse their animals. And these activists are just peaceful and nonviolent saviors trying to help these poor animals. So California needs to be kind to them. (You can read the full proposal here, page 21.)
In truth, these “rescues” and “investigations” are crimes. And the people doing them are endangering the animals they’re misguidedly trying to help (and maybe even staging this so-called abuse?). Farmers give a lot of time and thought to animal care and animal welfare. They seek the advice and counsel of veterinarians and experts. Just entering those barns without the proper procedure could infect the entire facility.
And as silly and laughable as the Peace and Justice Commission seems, it’s also pretty scary. At some level, this is still a local governmental entity. They’re making decisions and taking positions and making recommendations. That terrifies me. And so does DxE.
I hope these activists will be prosecuted. And I hope law enforcement and prosecutors around the country will also do their job wherever the radical DxE shows up next.
way to go amanda!!!
What people in this country and specifically California don’t realize is that these smaller government institutions are being used by bigger government to test us and see just how much of our personal rights and space they can infringe upon and flat out take away before we start pushing back. We are the proverbial frogs in the water being boiled slowly so that by the time we realize we are the wards of the government and no longer free, it will be to late. If they allow activists to come on farms of hard working American farmers and steal their animals, how long will it be before ” They ” are allowed to come and take your children because for what ever reason of the day dictates that action. Or take your home because you go to church on Sunday an you offend the neighbors because you do so ? Sound ridiculous ? They’re proposing that strangers (untrained and without proper credentials or permission) be allowed to TRESPASS onto the property of these farmers and then . . be allowed to (remove) steel their animals at their unprofessional discretion. Don’t kid yourselves, those of you that are pushing this liberal kind of climate in our country will be individually and corporately responsible for your own loss of the freedoms that you so foolishly gave away under the guise of liberalism.
You are so right. I work in local fixer emend in California and have watched them take away water rights on a small scale and are working to do it on a larger scale. They are working off a socialist/communist playbook that believes that private property rights are bad and that ownership of anything should be through the state. Taking your animals, for whatever reason is justifiable if the state believes it is in the interest of “the people.” Venezuela/Madura style socialism is happening in California, but there’s no reporting of it.
I had a threat come from DxE, they were going to come to Kansas and take my goat herd that I use for weed and brush control. I told them they were welcome to come to Kansas but I needed to know how many were coming. They wanted to know why, I told them that I was ordering body bags and if they attempted to steal my animals or threaten them or me in any way, I would exercise my Second Amendment RIGHT and defend my pursuit of Life, Liberty and Happiness. …. they never showed up.
I suggest farmers and ranchers exercise their Rights to Farm and shoot any tresspassers. Put up no tresspassing signs as well as biosecurity signs, if they ARAs try to come on to the land dont hesitate…second amendment
Mary Powell has exactly the right idea. I firmly believe that this kind of action is needed and should be employed. These radicals are simply domestic terrorists trying to get away with criminal trespass. They know nothing about appropriate animal care and probably could care less as their real agenda is their need for public notice and their fantasy that they are saving animals. So, for those who need training in firearms, I recommend it. There is no reason at all to allow these criminals to trespass and harm our animals!
Great blog Amanda, spoken very well…. you are a true steward of agriculture….
It’s a wonder they did not get shot. That’s pretty scary. They would if they tried to enter hear. They could infect the whole flock. Not good at all. The farmer can not afford to loose those birds.
One thing we all can do, but especially people in California, is write letters. Urge that these crimes be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In reality, moderate humans who support animal welfare far outnumber the radical animal rights people. We simply have to make that clear to our legislators…we are here and we VOTE.
This is ridiculous. Farmers don’t promote abuse and sickness in animals. That is their livelihood. When will these people ever understand this? It makes no sense to spend money on animals and then abuse and neglect them. If only these people would take up the cause for abuse and neglected children who actually need help.
Our government as at the most senseless it has ever been. God help us!
Even vegans need farmers. What are these people going to eat when they drive farmers out of business? This kind of stupidity shouldn’t be sanctioned and promoted by our government.