UPDATE: A Sonoma County jury is currently deliberating the fate of Zoe Rosenberg, a 23-year-old animal activist from Berkeley, who is accused of trespassing at a Petaluma poultry facility and taking four chickens during a series of incursions two years ago. The jury began its discussions on October 10, 2023, following three weeks of intense trial proceedings.
The case has garnered national attention, largely due to Rosenberg’s affiliation with Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), an animal rights organization known for its controversial methods and public protests. Prosecutors from the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office are arguing that Rosenberg’s actions were not motivated by a genuine desire to rescue animals, but rather to gain publicity for her organization.
In a dramatic closing argument, Deputy District Attorney Matthew Hobson emphasized that Rosenberg’s entry into the facility on May 21 and June 13, 2023, was part of a calculated effort to attract media attention, coinciding with DxE’s annual Animal Liberation Conference. He stated, “There is a clear intent here. An organized intent.” Hobson also questioned why Rosenberg only took four chickens if her goal was to alleviate animal suffering.
Defense attorney Chris Carraway countered these claims, arguing that Rosenberg acted out of compassion, believing that the chickens were mistreated. “This is about Zoe Rosenberg’s sincere belief birds were suffering at a slaughterhouse,” Carraway told the jury. He highlighted that even a few rescues could spark awareness about animal cruelty.
Rosenberg faces one felony conspiracy charge and three misdemeanors for multiple trespassing incidents at the facility. If convicted, she could face a sentence ranging from probation to five years in jail.
The trial’s outcome could have significant implications for animal rights activism in Sonoma County, where DxE has ramped up protests against meat producers. The organization recently attempted to push a ballot measure to ban large-scale poultry and livestock operations, although it failed.
As the jury deliberates, the implications of this case hang in the balance. Rosenberg’s arrest in November 2023, shortly after DxE co-founder Wayne Hsiung received a 90-day jail sentence for a similar incident, further highlights the contentious atmosphere surrounding animal rights activism in the region.
Officials and observers are closely watching how this verdict could influence future activism and public perceptions of animal rights efforts. The jury’s decision is expected to be announced soon, making this a critical moment for both Rosenberg and the broader animal rights movement.
