Animal Activist Zoe Rosenberg Convicted of Felony Conspiracy in Sonoma Chicken Rescue Trial

Zoe Rosenberg, a 23-year-old Berkeley animal rights activist affiliated with Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), was convicted by a Sonoma County jury on charges including felony conspiracy, misdemeanor trespass, and tampering with a vehicle related to her 2023 actions at Petaluma Poultry. The jury found that Rosenberg and co-conspirators planned and executed a break-in where they disguised themselves, used false employee uniforms, and took four chickens from the facility, which she termed a "rescue" motivated by her belief that the animals were suffering. Prosecutors argued the actions were deliberate and intended for publicity to advance DxE's campaign, while Rosenberg's defense emphasized her moral duty and compassion to save the chickens, which she named and described as injured. The case highlighted a broader conflict between animal rights activists employing "open rescue" tactics and the agricultural industry, with Rosenberg facing up to five years in prison at her upcoming sentencing. District Attorney Carla Rodriguez affirmed that the verdict reinforced the principle that no one is above the law, emphasizing that lawful protest does not justify trespassing or endangering others. Despite the conviction, Rosenberg and her supporters remain committed to their cause, underscoring ongoing tensions over animal welfare and activism methods.